title: Endogenous inhibitors of 11 beta-OHSD: existence and possible significance.
abstract: Inhibition of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD) by licorice-derived compounds and in cases of idiopathic impairment of this enzyme is known to result in hypermineralocorticoid syndromes, reflecting corticosteroid receptor activation by excess intracellular glucocorticoids. In this paper we address the question of whether or not endogenous inhibitors of 11 beta-OHSD exist that might cause pathological glucocorticoid metabolism. Using microsomal preparations we have demonstrated that bile acids are potent inhibitors of rat renal and human hepatic 11 beta-OHSD, with lithocholic acid exerting the strongest effect. The human renal enzyme is affected to a lesser extent. Serum of patients with cholestatic liver cirrhosis also inhibited 11 beta-OHSD activity, in parallel with total bile acid concentration. Cholesterol and its precursor lanosterol inhibited the enzymatic activity in microsomes from rat and human kidney cortex and human liver. We conclude that bile acids could contribute to the abnormalities of cortisol metabolism observed in cholestatic liver cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Klinische Physiologie, Universitätsklinikum Steglitz, Freien Universität Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bühler
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Perschel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fitzner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hierholzer
mesh_terms: D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007810:Lanosterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008095:Lithocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D007810:Lanosterol; D008095:Lithocholic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases