title: Type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in human fallopian tube and correlation of enzyme levels with endometrial histopathology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The inter-conversion of hormonally active cortisol and inactive cortisone is catalyzed by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD). This conversion controls the level of active glucocorticoid concentration in tissues. As the fallopian tube plays a major role in the process of fertilization, we wanted to investigate whether 11beta-HSD is present in the human fallopian tube to control the glucocorticoid levels as in other tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isthmic, ampullary and fimbrial portions of the fallopian tube are obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy and salpingo-oopherectomy for symptomatic leomyomata uteri. 11beta-HSD activities were measured in the homogenates of the tube, cortisol as the steroid substrate. The enzyme activity was expressed as nanomolar cortisone formed per minute per gram of tissue (mean +/- S.D.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant level of 11beta-HSD activity in oxidation direction was found in all three parts of the tube. There is no significant difference in the distribution of the enzyme activity throughout the tube. When tubal 11beta-HSD activity was compared with endometrial histology, the enzyme activity is significantly lower in proliferative endometrium when compared with secretory endometrium (P = 0.002). The enzyme activity in inactive endometrium is significantly higher than the active endometrium (P = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of 11beta-HSD throughout the fallopian tube and its correlation to endometrial histology is indicative of its probable role in controlling the glucocorticoid levels in the tissue, which in turn may influence the fertilization process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Down State Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. ozgul.muneyyirci-delale@downstate.edu
authors.forename: Ozgul
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Muneyyirci-Delale
authors.forename: Vijaya L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Nacharaju
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kessel
authors.forename: Lianfu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Sanaa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jalou
authors.forename: Nezar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dalloul
authors.forename: Monzila
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Ovadia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abulafia
mesh_terms: D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2