Genotypes at 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 11B1 and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase loci are not risk factors for apparent cortisone reductase deficiency in a large population-based sample.
BACKGROUND
Apparent cortisone reductase deficiency (ACRD) is a rarely ascertained condition characterized by signs of androgen excess in women or children and decreased urinary excretion of cortisol metabolites compared with cortisone metabolites. These findings suggest a deficiency of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11-HSD1; encoded by the HSD11B1 gene), which normally converts cortisone to cortisol. Common polymorphisms in both HSD11B1 and the hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD) gene encoding hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase have been found together in ACRD patients, who carry three of a possible four minor alleles at the two loci.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to confirm the postulated digenic inheritance mechanism for ACRD.


METHODS
This was a population-based association study (Dallas Heart Study). Subjects were genotyped for the 1971T>G polymorphism in intron 3 of HSD11B1 and the R453Q polymorphism in H6PD.


METHODS
The study comprised 3551 individuals in a population-based sample (50% black, 35% white, and 15% Hispanic).


METHODS
The main outcome measure was association between genotypes and risk for polycystic ovarian syndrome.


RESULTS
Both polymorphisms occurred more frequently than previously reported. Thus, ACRD genotypes (at least three of four minor alleles) occurred in 7.0% of subjects. There were no associations between genotype and body mass index; waist/hip ratio; visceral adiposity; measures of insulin sensitivity; levels of testosterone, FSH, or LH (in females); or risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome. There was no genotype effect on urinary free cortisol/cortisone or corticosteroid metabolite ratios, which were measured in 10 subjects, each carrying zero, three, or four minor alleles.


CONCLUSIONS
Previously reported associations of ACRD with HSD11B1 and H6PD alleles represent ascertainment bias. However, rare severe mutations in these genes cannot be ruled out.
White
Perrin C
PC
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9063, USA. perrin.white@utsouthwestern.edu
D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D002237:Carbohydrate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D003349:Cortisone Reductase / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine; D011153:Population; D012307:Risk Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000652:urine; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D013256:Steroids; D002237:Carbohydrate Dehydrogenases; C020552:galactose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D003349:Cortisone Reductase