title: 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and corticosteroid action in lyon hypertensive rats.
abstract: Adrenocorticosteroid activity in Lyon hypertensive (LH) and low blood pressure (LL) rat strains differ in several respects. Abnormal activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes (11beta-HSD1 and 11beta-HSD2), which interconvert corticosterone and inactive 11-dehydrocorticosterone, might contribute to the LH phenotype by regulating corticosteroid hormone access to receptors. 11beta-HSD2 (expressed in kidney but not liver) prevents endogenous glucocorticoids from binding to mineralocorticoid receptors. 11beta-HSD1 (expressed in liver and kidney) favors active glucocorticoid formation from 11-dehydrocorticosterone. 11beta-HSD properties in LH and LL have been compared by several approaches: (1) 11betaHSD activities have been measured in vitro as corticosterone dehydrogenation and in vivo as interconversion of injected cortisol and cortisone; (2) the effects of cortisol and cortisone on urine electrolytes and volume have been measured; and (3) 11beta-HSD mRNA expression has been measured by in situ hybridization. 11beta-HSD2 enzyme activities in LH and LL rats were similar and urinary cortisone:cortisol ratios were not different after cortisol injection. Cortisol caused a natriuresis and kaliuresis in both strains, with a slightly reduced response in LH rats. Renal 11beta-HSD2 mRNA expression was slightly lower in LH rats. 11beta-HSD1 was less active in LH than LL rats: enzyme activities were lower in tissue extracts; urinary cortisone:cortisol was lower in LL rats after cortisone injections; cortisone increased urine volume in LL but not LH rats; and mRNA levels tended to be lower in LH tissues. We conclude that 11beta-HSD1 is impaired in LH rats. The LH phenotype of heavier adrenals, raised corticosterone, and reduced thymus weight is similar to that described for 11beta-HSD1 knockout mice.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lloyd-MacGilp
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Florin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKinnell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sassard
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kenyon
mesh_terms: D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003348:Cortisone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000652:urine; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D003348:Cortisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone