title: Will treating diabetes with 11β-HSD1 inhibitors affect the HPA axis?
abstract: Inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 are in clinical trials for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These compounds act by decreasing the cortisol generated in liver and adipose tissue, and therefore reducing tissue-specific gluconeogenesis and fatty acid metabolism. However, there is concern that reduction in tissue-regenerated cortisol might decrease feedback to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in upregulation of cortisol from the adrenal gland. This review considers evidence from 11β-HSD1 knockout and transgenic mice, inhibitor studies and results from clinical trials evaluating HPA axis biomarkers. It is clear that analysis of the HPA axis is not sufficiently detailed, and there is a need to understand the subtle changes in the axis associated with pulsatility, diurnal rhythm and stress.
authors.affiliation: Faculties of Life Sciences and Medical and Human Sciences, Manchester, Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harno
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C525872:4'-cyanobiphenyl-4-sulfonic acid (6-aminopyridin-2-yl)amide; D000631:Aminopyridines; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013449:Sulfonamides; D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1; D006854:Hydrocortisone