Corticosterone

**Corticosteroid** is the main hormone of the adrenal cortex and has a number of different functions in the body. It is an important component of the endocrine system and is involved in the regulation of many physiological processes, such as carbohydrate, protein, fat metabolism, etc. In this article we will take a closer look at the properties and functions of the corticosteroid, as well as its use in medical practice.

Corticosteroids have a number of common properties related to their chemical structure. They are glucocorticoids, that is, they are synthesized from the amino acids phenylalanine, tryptophan and cholesterol. These hormones have a common structure consisting of a polypeptide chain ending with 3-hydroxycortisone-21-carboxylic acid. In addition, all corticoids contain group 11, or the so-called post-heptane chain.

The synthesis of corticosteroids takes place in the adrenal cortex with the participation of the enzyme 3α- and steroid synth