Endocrine Abstracts

The causative link between circulating glucocorticoid excess and osteoporosis is established. Although circulating cortisol levels do not change significantly with age, local tissue metabolism may be implicated in age-related bone loss. The enzyme11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) increases local cortisol production, is expressed in human osteoblasts and its activity increases with age leading to a decrease in bone formation. We hypothesised that sele...