Abstract
The enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD), which catalyses the conversion of cortisol to the inactive steroid cortisone in man (and corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents), was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in skin biopsy samples from healthy volunteers and from patients with psoriasis and eczema. In-vitro studies confirmed the presence of the enzyme in skin from nude mice and showed that it is inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid, the major active component of liquorice. By means of the skin vasoconstrictor assay, glycyrrhetinic acid was shown to potentiate the action of hydrocortisone. This work suggests a novel means of targeting glucocorticoid therapy.
Publication types
-
Comparative Study
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
-
Adult
-
Animals
-
Beclomethasone / administration & dosage
-
Beclomethasone / pharmacology
-
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
-
Drug Synergism
-
Female
-
Glycyrrhetinic Acid / administration & dosage
-
Glycyrrhetinic Acid / pharmacology*
-
Humans
-
Hydrocortisone / administration & dosage
-
Hydrocortisone / analogs & derivatives*
-
Hydrocortisone / metabolism*
-
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / analysis
-
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / antagonists & inhibitors*
-
Immunohistochemistry
-
Male
-
Mice
-
Mice, Nude
-
Middle Aged
-
Random Allocation
-
Receptors, Glucocorticoid / drug effects*
-
Skin / enzymology*
-
Stimulation, Chemical
-
Time Factors
-
Vasoconstriction / drug effects
Substances
-
Receptors, Glucocorticoid
-
hydrocortisone acetate
-
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
-
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
-
Beclomethasone
-
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
-
Hydrocortisone