Endocrine Abstracts

Obesity is associated with decreased hepatic reactivation of glucocorticoids (Gc) by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD) and increased metabolism of glucocorticoids by hepatic A-ring reductases, which may contribute to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Androgen action encourages central obesity and increased metabolic complications, possibly by altering Gc metabolism.This study investigates the role of gonadal androg...

The major glucocorticoids (cortisol in man and corticosterone in the rat) play an important role in obesity and its attendant hypertension. However, there is no consistent evidence of glucocorticoid excess in simple obesity, suggesting that its role in the regulation of adipose tissue mass results from a more complex mechanism than adrenal hypersecretion of glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoid biosynthesis is not limited to the adrenal cortex; mRNA and enzymatic activity of 11β...

Adrenal steroids and alterations in steroid metabolism are important factors in the development of obesity in Zucker rats. One might predict, therefore, that the function of the adrenal gland differs between lean and obese Zucker animals. Accordingly, we investigated adrenal gland morphology and function and have considered not only glucocorticoids and HPA activity but also the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Plasma samples and adrenal glands were obtained from young 12 ...

Bile acids inhibit glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid metabolism. However bile acids may also influence hormone action by modulating steroidogenesis in the adrenal gland. In rodents adrenal cholesterol supply for steroidogenesis is derived from circulating HDL through the actions of scavenger receptor SR-B1. Since hepatic SR-B1 expression is known to be regulated by bile acids, we have investigated whether adrenal SR-B1 is similarly affected and, if so, whether adrenal lipid...

Glucocorticoids mediate the stress response, regulated via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is down-regulated and its responsiveness to stress is impaired in cholestasis. The mechanisms are unknown, but may involve reduced glucocorticoid clearance. Hepatic 5beta-reductase is involved in glucocorticoid inactivation and bile acid biosynthesis. We showed previously that bile acids are potent competitive inhibitors and transcriptional regulator...

Glucocorticoids (GC) are potent anti-inflammatory compounds, acting mainly through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). GC therapy, however, has debilitating side-effects, necessitating safer new alternative therapies. The natural GC metabolite 5α-Tetrahydrocorticosterone (5αTHB) is anti-inflammatory in vivo in mice, but with fewer side-effects. Its mechanism of action is unknown, and here we test signalling via GR and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). 5&#94...