Hydrocortisone belongs to the hydroxysteroids, a subclass of steroids and steroid derivatives within the organic compounds. This compound has the formula C21H30O5 and an average molecular weight of 362.46 g/mol. Biologically, it functions as a steroid hormone (PMC5773066), glucocorticoid (PMC13131869, PMC9720157), agonist (PMC12963375), and biomarker (PMC11311417). Its recorded protein targets include the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and Annexin A1 (ANXA1), for which it acts as an agonist.
Hydrocortisone is found in drinking water, food preservation, and the preparation of wine or sparkling wine. It is present in household cleaning and consumer products, including soap detergents, perfumes within detergents and soaps, and other smoking requisites. It is also found in electrical and electronic equipment, such as electric hearing aids, amplifiers, electrodes, electrically stimulated smoking devices, and conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materials. In healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary products, it appears in corticosteroids, stomatological preparations, intestinal antiinflammatory agents, vasoprotectives, and corticosteroids combined with antiseptics. Exposure routes include topical, oral, rectal, ophthalmic, and auricular.
The compound is associated with several health effects, including schizophrenia (PMC2643957), rheumatoid arthritis (PMC5773066), cognitive impairment (PMC9540824), hyperglycemia (PMC10030736), and hypoglycemia (PMC6066785). It is linked to an increase in fatigue (PMC11955606), anxiety (PMC13013334), obesity (PMC1492602), atherosclerosis (PMC12255647, PMC7793542), blood pressure (PMC12957204), and hypertension (PMC10030736, PMC10742751, PMC1492602). Regarding depression, it is associated with both a decrease (PMC3506942, PMC7700510, PMC7793542, PMC9540824) and a general occurrence (PMC11311417). Blood levels are elevated in blood pressure (PMC12957204), angiosarcoma (PMC5137173), and depression (PMC3171169), while decreased levels in blood are seen in depression (PMC7177257) and chronic inflammation (PMC3503793). It is decreased in the urine of those with obesity (PMC13019795) and serves as a biomarker for breast cancer (PMC11311417).
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as 21-hydroxysteroids. These are steroids carrying a hydroxyl group at the 21-position of the steroid backbone.
