Furosemide inhibits 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2.
11Beta-hydroxsteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11beta-OHSD2) protects the nonselective renal mineralocorticoid receptor from the endogenous glucocorticoid cortisol. Thus, drugs inhibiting 11beta-OHSD2 might enhance urinary loss of potassium. As diuretics influence the renal handling of potassium, we analyzed the impact of 13 commonly used diuretics on 11beta-OHSD2. Furosemide was the only inhibitor. Its inhibition constant (Ki) was 30 micromol when extracts from COS-1 cells transfected with human 11beta-OHSD2 were used as an enzyme source. The type of inhibition was competitive. To establish whether furosemide inhibits 11beta-OHSD2 and 11beta-OHSD1 in the renal target tissue, isolated tubular segments from rats were analyzed. Furosemide decreased the oxidative activity of 11beta-OHSD2 in intact distal tubules and 11beta-OHSD1 in proximal convoluted tubules. For the assessment of furosemide on the excretion of corticosterone metabolites in vivo, rats were given furosemide i.p., and the ratio of tetrahydrocorticosterone plus 5alpha-tetrahydrocorticosterone to 11-dehydrotetrahydrocorticosterone was determined in urine. This ratio increased after the administration of furosemide in all animals, indicating inhibition of the oxidative activity of 11beta-OHSD. Thus, furosemide inhibits the 11beta-OHSD2 enzyme in the target tissue and might by that mechanism enhance the mineralocorticoid effect of 11beta-hydroxyglucocorticoids.
Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Berne, Inselspital, Switzerland.
D
D
Fuster
G
G
Escher
B
B
Vogt
D
D
Ackermann
B
B
Dick
B M
BM
Frey
F J
FJ
Frey
D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005665:Furosemide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013761:Tetrahydrocortisone / Q000652:urine
D004232:Diuretics; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013761:Tetrahydrocortisone; D005665:Furosemide; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases