The liquorice effect on the RAAS differs between the genders.
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.
Sigurjonsdottir
Helga A
HA
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Sahlgrenska, Göteborg, Sweden.
Axelson
Magnus
M
Johannsson
Gudmundur
G
Manhem
Karin
K
Nyström
Ernst
E
Wallerstedt
Sven
S
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
D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D000450:Aldosterone