title: The liquorice effect on the RAAS differs between the genders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Liquorice-induced increase in blood pressure (BP) is more profound in subjects with essential hypertension (HT) than in healthy individuals. Liquorice induces pseudohyperaldosteronism by inhibiting the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and is also known to inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). We explored the difference in response in BP, considering the RAAS and the genders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with HT (eight men and three women, mean age 40.7 years) and healthy controls (13 men and 12 women, mean age 31.2 years) consumed 100 g of liquorice (150 mg glycyrrhetinic acid) daily for 4 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood, urine samples and BP were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of liquorice consumption and 4 weeks after cessation of liquorice consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relative change in serum aldosterone levels differed between the genders (p < 0.02), men being more responsive than women, but not between patients with HT and healthy subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The liquorice-induced inhibition of aldosterone secretion differs between the genders and is not influenced by the BP levels. This difference between the genders has not been exposed before.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Sahlgrenska, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helga A
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: Nyström
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wallerstedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D008297:Male; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D000450:Aldosterone