Endocrine Abstracts

Placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11β-HSD2) rapidly converts glucocorticoids to inactive metabolites, thus protecting the developing fetus from high maternal glucocorticoids. Genetic deficiency or inhibition of 11β-HSD2 associates with fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, and cardiometabolic disease in adulthood. Similar ‘programming’ effects are seen with maternal malnutrition or stress; these challenges associate with reduced place...

Glucocorticoids act on several major neuropeptide networks in the hypothalamus which are important for regulation of energy balance and insulin sensitivity. Active glucocorticoids (cortisol/corticosterone in humans/rodents) can be regenerated from their inactive forms by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type one (11β-HSD1) which is expressed in the hypothalamus. Therefore we decreased 11β-HSD1 expression in the brain to investigate the role of regener...

Introduction: Hydrocortisone therapy in adrenal insufficiency and medical management of Cushing’s syndrome requires accurate monitoring of glucocorticoid status. Currently, this necessitates admitting patients to hospital for serial measurements of serum cortisol. From previous studies in Cushing’s, the goal of medical therapy is a mean (based on five samples) serum cortisol of 150–300 nmol/l, which is known to equate to a normal cortisol production rate. Saliva...