METABOLISM OF HYDROCORTISONE DURING INFLAMMATION1

Abstract

The metabolism of cortisol 4-C14 was studied in mice subjected to an inflaming stimulus. There was a non-specific concentration of radioactivity in the inflamed connective tissue, demonstrated by the fact that although the amount of hormone is greater on the inflamed side, the rate of increase and decrease of hormone concentration is the same in both inflamed and non-inflamed connective tissue. Further, the tissue concentration of tetrahydrocortisol glucuronide which is the transformation product of cortisol by the liver, reflects the concentration in blood. 50% of the cortisol is inactivated in 40 to 60 minutes, but the anti-inflammatory effect is maintained for a much longer period of time. Therefore, it is apparent that the hormone is concentrated in the inflamed tissue in a non-specific manner, exerts its anti-inflammatory effect, and is excreted. The transformation of cortisol to tetrahydrocortisol and to tetrahydrocortisol glucuronide occurs in mice in the same manner as in humans.