Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (746 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A naturally occurring glucocorticoid that has been used in replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Cortisone itself is inactive; it is converted in the liver to the active metabolite hydrocortisone. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p726)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cortisone Acetate; 17-Hydroxy-3,11,20-trioxopregn-4-en-21-yl acetate; Adreson; Cortone Acetate.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Pregnenes; 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids
Related concepts
- Adrenal Insufficiency
- Hydrocortisone
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 19,931 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Cortisone” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 336 of them (1.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 18,432 records.
Reviews account for 504 records (2.5%) and meta-analyses for 4. Randomized controlled trials number 73 (0.4%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 18,432 |
| 2000-2009 | 652 |
| 2010-2019 | 511 |
| 2020 onward | 336 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 504 | 2.5% |
| Meta-analyses | 4 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 73 | 0.4% |
Method: PubMed query "Cortisone"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals
Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol consumption, depression, overweight and cortisol levels as determining factors for NR3C1 gene methylation | 2021 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 31 | cc by PMID 33762648 · DOI · PMC7990967 |
| Response to aminoglutethimide and cortisone acetate in advanced prostatic cancer | 1984 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 31 | cc by PMID 6238616 · DOI · PMC1977020 |
| Association between umbilical cord glucocorticoids and blood pressure at age 3 years | 2008 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 30 | cc by PMID 18755017 · DOI · PMC2533350 |
| Utility of Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone in the Diagnostics of Adrenal Insufficiency | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 13 | cc by PMID 38994578 · DOI · PMC12012792 |
Alcohol consumption, depression, overweight and cortisol levels as determining factors for NR3C1 gene methylation [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene is a component of the stress response system, which can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms.
- Closing excerpt
- Habits, lifestyle, and health status may influence NR3C1 gene regulation via methylation, revealing the complexity of environmental impacts on NR3C1 methylation.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (166 words)
The NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene is a component of the stress response system, which can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. NR3C1 methylation has been associated with trauma and mental issues, including depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and personality disorders. Previous studies have reported that stressful events are involved in NR3C1 gene methylation, suggesting that its regulation under environmental effects is complex. The present study aimed to analyze associations involving stressors such as socioeconomic status, health conditions, and lifestyle in relation to NR3C1 methylation in adults. This study included 386 individual users of the Brazilian Public Unified Health System (SUS), and evaluated socioeconomic and health conditions, body mass index, cortisol levels, and lifestyle. Data were correlated with NR3C1 methylation, determined using DNA pyrosequencing. The results showed that alcohol consumption, overweight, and high cortisol levels were related to NR3C1 demethylation, while depression was related to its methylation. Habits, lifestyle, and health status may influence NR3C1 gene regulation via methylation, revealing the complexity of environmental impacts on NR3C1 methylation.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 33762648 · DOI · PMC7990967
Response to aminoglutethimide and cortisone acetate in advanced prostatic cancer [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Forty patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate were evaluated for response to treatment with aminoglutethimide plus cortisone acetate.
- Closing excerpt
- The mechanism by which this treatment has a beneficial effect remains unclear.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (89 words)
Forty patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate were evaluated for response to treatment with aminoglutethimide plus cortisone acetate. All had relapsed from or failed to respond to primary endocrine treatment with orchidectomy or stilboestrol. Nineteen patients (48%) showed subjective response, in most cases relief of bone pain. Side effects limited treatment in only 3 patients. We conclude that aminoglutethimide plus cortisone acetate is a useful addition to the treatment available for this difficult group of patients. The mechanism by which this treatment has a beneficial effect remains unclear.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 6238616 · DOI · PMC1977020
Association between umbilical cord glucocorticoids and blood pressure at age 3 years [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundAnimal data show that decreased activity of placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2), which potently inactivates glucocorticoids (e.
- Closing excerpt
- Our data suggest that increased fetal exposure to active maternal glucocorticoids may program later systolic blood pressure.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (228 words)
BackgroundAnimal data show that decreased activity of placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2), which potently inactivates glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) to inert forms (cortisone), allows increased access of maternal glucocorticoids to the fetus and 'programs' hypertension. Data in humans are limited. We examined in humans the association between venous umbilical cord blood glucocorticoids, a potential marker for placental 11beta-HSD2 enzyme activity, and blood pressure at age 3 years.MethodsAmong 286 newborns in Project Viva, a prospective pre-birth cohort study based in eastern Massachusetts, we measured cortisol (F) and cortisone (E) in venous cord blood and used the ratio of F/E as a marker for placental 11beta-HSD2 activity. We measured blood pressure (BP) when the offspring reached age 3 years. Using mixed effects regression models to control for BP measurement conditions, maternal and child characteristics, we examined the association between the F/E ratio and child BP.ResultsAt age 3 years, each unit increase in the F/E ratio was associated with a 1.6 mm Hg increase in systolic BP (95% CI 0.0 to 3.1). The F/E ratio was not associated with diastolic blood pressure or birth weight for gestational age z-score.ConclusionA higher F/E ratio in umbilical venous cord blood, likely reflecting reduced placental 11beta-HSD2 activity, was associated with higher systolic blood pressure at age 3 years. Our data suggest that increased fetal exposure to active maternal glucocorticoids may program later systolic blood pressure.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 18755017 · DOI · PMC2533350
Utility of Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone in the Diagnostics of Adrenal Insufficiency [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundSalivary cortisol (sa-cortisol) and salivary cortisone correlate well with serum cortisol (s-cortisol) but validated reference ranges for healthy individuals are lacking.
- Closing excerpt
- 6 nmol/L assayed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry 60 minutes after 250 µg cosyntropin is normal.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (263 words)
BackgroundSalivary cortisol (sa-cortisol) and salivary cortisone correlate well with serum cortisol (s-cortisol) but validated reference ranges for healthy individuals are lacking.ObjectiveTo establish cutoff levels for sa-cortisol and cortisone following cosyntropin testing and assess their diagnostic utility in adrenal insufficiency (AI).MethodsSteroids in saliva were assayed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry before and after administration of a 250-µg cosyntropin test in 128 healthy subjects (16 on oral estrogens) and 59 patients with suspected AI, of whom 26 were diagnosed with AI with conventional serum cortisol criteria. The cutoff level for AI was defined as the 2.5th percentile in healthy subjects not receiving estrogens. Performance was evaluated by calculating diagnostic accuracy and analyzing receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsThe sa-cortisol cutoff 60 minutes after cosyntropin stimulation was 12.6 nmol/L (accuracy 89%, sensitivity 85%, and specificity 90%). Salivary cortisone and the sum of sa-cortisol and cortisone exhibited poorer diagnostic performance than sa-cortisol. The correlation between sa-cortisol and s-cortisol was best described by a model incorporating 2 regression lines (R2 = 0.80). Segmented regression analysis identified a breakpoint at sa-cortisol 9.7 nmol/L and s-cortisol 482 nmol/L, likely corresponding to saturation of cortisol binding globulin. Healthy subjects on oral estrogens demonstrated a linear agreement between s- and sa-cortisol through all measurements. Seventeen healthy subjects repeated the test, with similar outcomes, but reproducibility in terms of intraclass coefficient and correlation was poor.ConclusionSa-cortisol in cosyntropin-test has high diagnostic accuracy in detecting adrenal insufficiency and is particularly useful in women on oral estrogens. An sa-cortisol ≥ 12.6 nmol/L assayed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry 60 minutes after 250 µg cosyntropin is normal.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38994578 · DOI · PMC12012792
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article SOME BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SKIN CARCINOGENISIS [5]
- Research article Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis as a strategy to circumvent acquired resistance to anti-cancer therapeutic agents [6]
- Research article 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the pre-receptor regulation of corticosteroid hormone action [7]
- Research article Glucocorticoid regulation of diverse cognitive functions in normal and pathological emotional states [8]
- Research article Consensus statement on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with primary adrenal insufficiency [9]
- Research article Hypertension and the cortisol-cortisone shuttle [10]
References
- de Assis Pinheiro J, Freitas FV, Borçoi AR, Mendes SO, Conti CL, Arpini JK, et al.. Alcohol consumption, depression, overweight and cortisol levels as determining factors for NR3C1 gene methylation. . 2021. PMID 33762648 · DOI · PMC7990967
- Ponder BA, Shearer RJ, Pocock RD, Miller J, Easton D, Chilvers CE, et al.. Response to aminoglutethimide and cortisone acetate in advanced prostatic cancer. . 1984. PMID 6238616 · DOI · PMC1977020
- Huh SY, Andrew R, Rich-Edwards JW, Kleinman KP, Seckl JR, Gillman MW. Association between umbilical cord glucocorticoids and blood pressure at age 3 years. . 2008. PMID 18755017 · DOI · PMC2533350
- Kvam Hellan K, Lyngstad M, Methlie P, Løvås K, Husebye ES, Ueland GÅ. Utility of Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone in the Diagnostics of Adrenal Insufficiency. . 2025. PMID 38994578 · DOI · PMC12012792
- BOUTWELL RK. SOME BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SKIN CARCINOGENISIS. Prog Exp Tumor Res. 1964. PMID 14150247 · DOI
- Kerbel RS. Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis as a strategy to circumvent acquired resistance to anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Bioessays. 1991. PMID 1722975 · DOI
- Draper N, Stewart PM. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the pre-receptor regulation of corticosteroid hormone action. J Endocrinol. 2005. PMID 16079253 · DOI
- Erickson K, Drevets W, Schulkin J. Glucocorticoid regulation of diverse cognitive functions in normal and pathological emotional states. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2003. PMID 12788335 · DOI
- Husebye ES, Allolio B, Arlt W, Badenhoop K, Bensing S, Betterle C, et al.. Consensus statement on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. J Intern Med. 2014. PMID 24330030 · DOI
- Quinkler M, Stewart PM. Hypertension and the cortisol-cortisone shuttle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003. PMID 12788832 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.