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Cortisol
Human natural glucocorticoid hormone / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cortisol is a steroid hormone in the glucocorticoid class of hormones and a stress hormone. When used as medication, it is known as hydrocortisone.
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Names | |
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IUPAC name
11β,17α,21-Trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione | |
Systematic IUPAC name
(1R,3aS,3bS,9aR,9bS,11aS)-1,10-Dihydroxy-1-(hydroxyacetyl)-9a,11a-dimethyl-1,2,3,3a,3b,4,5,8,9,9a,9b,10,11,11a-tetradecahydro-7H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthen-7-one | |
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3D model (JSmol) |
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DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.019 ![]() |
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Properties | |
C21H30O5 | |
Molar mass | 362.460 g/mol |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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It is produced in many animals, mainly by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in an adrenal gland.[1] In other tissues, it is produced in lower quantities.[2] By a diurnal cycle, cortisol is released and increases in response to stress and a low blood-glucose concentration.[1] It functions to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, suppress the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of calories.[3] It also decreases bone formation.[4] These stated functions are carried out by cortisol binding to glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptors inside a cell, which then bind to DNA to affect gene expression.[1][5]