corticosterone

Last reviewed 01/2018

Corticosterone is an endogenous 21-carbon mineralocorticoid. It is made from the substrate 11-deoxycorticosterone by the action of the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxylase within endocrine glands. The enzyme can be inhibited by metyrapone.

It has only a third of the anti-inflammatory action, but 15 times the sodium-retaining action, in comparison to hydrocortisone.

Corticosterone is the precursor of aldosterone. The conversion is promoted by angiotensin II.