cortisone
Natural corticosteroid produced by the adrenal gland, now synthesized for its anti-inflammatory qualities and used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Cortisone was discovered by Tadeus Reichstein of Basel, Switzerland, and put to practical clinical use for rheumatoid arthritis by Philip Hench and Edward Kendall in the USA (all three shared a Nobel prize in 1950).
A product of the adrenal gland, it was first synthesized from a constituent of ox bile, and is now produced commercially from a Mexican yam and from a by-product of the sisal plant. It is used for treating allergies and certain cancers, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. The side effects of cortisone steroids include muscle wasting, fat redistribution, diabetes, bone thinning, and high blood pressure.
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