Endocrine Abstracts

Both therapeutic glucocorticoids (GCs) and chronic inflammation are powerful inducers of systemic bone loss, resulting in osteoporosis and increased morbidity. Whilst GCs suppress inflammation, it is unclear how these factors interact to determine net bone metabolism. We investigated the balance between osteo-protective and osteo-destructive properties of GCs in the TNF-tg model of chronic inflammatory disease. Wild-type (WT) and TNF-tg mice were treated with corticosterone (1...

In chronic inflammatory disease, an increased proportion of M1 polarised macrophages have been shown to contribute to inflammation and tissue damage through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα. Previously, we have identified expression of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), which converts inactive glucocorticoids (GCs) to their active counterparts, in M1 polarised macrophages in vivo. We hypothesised that 11β...