Meprednisone (16-β-methylprednisone) is a steroid anti-inflammatory with poor mineralocorticoid action due to the methylation of prednisone at the carbon 16 level. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory action is due to the decrease of the tissue response to the inflammatory processes, without modifying the underlying causes. Steroids diffuse through the cell membrane and bind to specific cytoplasmic receptors. Then, this complex enters the nucleus, where it binds to other transcriptional factors and to DNA producing induction and repression of genes that lead to its anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and mild mineralocorticoid effect. Other effects are: suppression of pituitary corticotropin production leading to secondary adrenal insufficiency, decreased absorption and increased calcium excretion, increased surfactant factor production in type 2 pneumocytes, protein catabolism in lymphoid, muscle, Connective tissue and skin, hepatic gluconeogenesis with decreased peripheral glucose utilization, decreased formation and increased bone resorption. The mechanism by which corticosteroids decrease immunity involves inhibition of cell-mediated immune reactions, reduction of T lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil concentration, decreased binding of immunoglobulins to cell-surface receptors, and release and / or synthesis of interleukins.

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