title: Liquorice in moderate doses does not affect sex steroid hormones of biological importance although the effect differs between the genders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Liquorice is commonly consumed, at least in the western world, and we have earlier shown that even moderate doses of liquorice have significant effects on the cortisol metabolism by inhibiting 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. The suggestion that liquorice decreases the testosterone levels in men makes it vital to study the effect of moderate doses of liquorice on sex steroid hormones.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen women and 21 men (healthy volunteers and subjects with essential hypertension) consumed 100 g of liquorice (150 mg glycyrrhetinic acid) daily in a 9-week, open-treatment trial. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected for hormone analysis before and after 4 weeks of liquorice consumption and 4 weeks after cessation of liquorice intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The liquorice induced a moderate decrease in the serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate in men (p = 0.002). The relative change in serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate differed between the genders (p = 0.03). No significant changes were observed in the serum testosterone levels after 4 weeks of liquorice consumption, and the urine excretion of androgens (etiocholanolone and androstenedione) did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liquorice in moderate doses primarily affects the cortisol metabolism and only marginally the androgen hormones. Gender may influence the action of liquorice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Sahlgrenska, Göteborg, Sweden. helga.sigurjonsdottir@medic.gu.se
authors.forename: Helga Agusta
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sigurjonsdottir
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Axelson
authors.forename: Gudmundur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johannsson
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manhem
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nystrom
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wallerstedt
mesh_terms: D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000378:metabolism*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2