Cortisol release from adipose tissue by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in humans.
OBJECTIVE
11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) regenerates cortisol from cortisone. 11beta-HSD1 mRNA and activity are increased in vitro in subcutaneous adipose tissue from obese patients. Inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 is a promising therapeutic approach in type 2 diabetes. However, release of cortisol by 11beta-HSD1 from adipose tissue and its effect on portal vein cortisol concentrations have not been quantified in vivo.


METHODS
Six healthy men underwent 9,11,12,12-[(2)H](4)-cortisol infusions with simultaneous sampling of arterialized and superficial epigastric vein blood sampling. Four men with stable chronic liver disease and a transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt in situ underwent tracer infusion with simultaneous sampling from the portal vein, hepatic vein, and an arterialized peripheral vein.


RESULTS
Significant cortisol and 9,12,12-[(2)H](3)-cortisol release were observed from subcutaneous adipose tissue (15.0 [95% CI 0.4-29.5] and 8.7 [0.2-17.2] pmol . min(-1) . 100 g(-1) adipose tissue, respectively). Splanchnic release of cortisol and 9,12,12-[(2)H](3)-cortisol (13.5 [3.6-23.5] and 8.0 [2.6-13.5] nmol/min, respectively) was accounted for entirely by the liver; release of cortisol from visceral tissues into portal vein was not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Cortisol is released from subcutaneous adipose tissue by 11beta-HSD1 in humans, and increased enzyme expression in obesity is likely to increase local glucocorticoid signaling and contribute to whole-body cortisol regeneration. However, visceral adipose 11beta-HSD1 activity is insufficient to increase portal vein cortisol concentrations and hence to influence intrahepatic glucocorticoid signaling.
Endocrinology Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. roland.stimson@ed.ac.uk
Roland H
RH
Stimson
Jonas
J
Andersson
Ruth
R
Andrew
Doris N
DN
Redhead
Fredrik
F
Karpe
Peter C
PC
Hayes
Tommy
T
Olsson
Brian R
BR
Walker
D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009765:Obesity / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D055815:Young Adult
D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1; D006854:Hydrocortisone