Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
1. The 11-alpha hydroxy epimer of hydrocortisone does not inhibit the growth of the chick embryo when given at doses up to 5 mg/egg; this is 200 to 300 times the dose level at which hydrocortisone acetate (0.01 to 0.02 mg/egg) and 50 times the level at which free hydrocortisone (0.1 mg/egg) interfere with embryonic development. The unnatural orientation of the 11-alpha hydroxy group thus inactivates the molecule as far as inhibiting embryonic growth is concerned. This unnatural configuration actually inhibits biological activity, since an analogous compound, 11-desoxy corticosterone acetate (Compound S) inhibits embryonic growth at a dose level of 2.7 mg/egg. The epimer does not diminish or potentiate the action of hydrocortisone acetate in the chick embryo.‖ 2. The 11-alpha hydroxy epimer of hydrocortisone in contrast to hydrocortisone acetate and cortisone acetate is also inactive by intra-tumoral injection in producing involution of the skin lesions in patients with Boeck's sarcoid and Hodgkin's disease.
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