Synonym | 1,4-Pregnadiene-17α,21-diol-3,11,20-trione; 1-Cortisone; Dehydrocortisone |
Biochem/Physiol Actions | Prednisone, the most commonly-prescribed corticosteroid, is used to treat allograft rejection, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and many other inflammatory states. Prednisone has some mineralocorticoid activity and thus may affect ion exchange in the kidney. Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. After cell surface receptor attachment and cell entry, prednisone enters the nucleus where it binds to and activates specific nuclear receptors, resulting in an altered gene and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production. This agent also decreases the number of circulating lymphocytes, induces cell differentiation, and stimulates apoptosis in sensitive tumor cell populations. |
