Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The 5α-reduced glucocorticoid, 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone (5α-THB), displays a dissociated steroid profile exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects in a murine model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis but failing to induce adverse metabolic effects caused by corticosterone. We assessed the topical anti-inflammatory properties of 5α-THB in a model of irritant dermatitis. Given the adverse effects of steroids on cutaneous wound healing, we also in...

7-Oxysterols modulate lipid transport and promote oxidative stress and apoptosis in the vascular wall. 7-Ketocholesterol (7KC) and 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7βOHC) are inter-converted by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11βHSD1), better known for metabolising glucocorticoids. Pharmacological inhibition of 11βHSD1 protects against atherosclerosis and these beneficial effects may be mediated through changes in glucocorticoids or oxysterols. To establish ...

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) regenerates active glucocorticoids thus amplifying their intracellular actions. 11β-HSD1 deficiency or inhibition, which improve metabolic syndrome and attenuate atherosclerosis in vulnerable rodent strains, is a target for drug development. However, 11β-HSD1 also converts 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) (which accumulates in fatty tissues), to the potentially more atherogenic, 7β-hydroxycholesterol. Whether a...