Liquorice in moderate doses does not affect sex steroid hormones of biological importance although the effect differs between the genders.
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.
Sigurjonsdottir
Helga Agusta
HA
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Sahlgrenska, Göteborg, Sweden. helga.sigurjonsdottir@medic.gu.se
Axelson
Magnus
M
Johannsson
Gudmundur
G
Manhem
Karin
K
Nystrom
Ernst
E
Wallerstedt
Sven
S
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
D000728:Androgens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2