[Hypertension caused by licorice consumption].
In a 38-year-old woman who was hospitalized because of hypertension and hypokalaemic alkalosis, the intake of liquorice (200 g per day) was proven to be the cause. A liquorice provocation test produced all the expected clinical and biochemical abnormalities. Some kinds of liquorice contain glycyrrhetic acid which inhibits the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (e.g. in the kidney) leading to decreased transformation of cortisol into cortisone. The mineralocorticoid action of cortisol causes a drop in serum potassium and an increase in serum sodium concentration, together with a metabolic alkalosis, which in the patient described led to retention of water resulting in weight increase and hypertension.
Seelen
M A
MA
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Leiden.
de Meijer
P H
PH
Braun
J
J
Swinkels
L M
LM
Waanders
H
H
Meinders
A E
AE
Meijer
P H
PH
D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000328:Adult; D000471:Alkalosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid