Endocrine Abstracts

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. However, they have significant side-effects including a decline in muscle mass and function which has similarities to age related sacropaenia. Within skeletal muscle 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) converts 11-dehydrocorticosterone (11DHC) to active corticosterone (CORT) amplifying local GC action. We hypothesise that 11β-HSD1 mediated intramyoce...

The pathophysiological effects of glucocorticoid (GC) excess (Cushing’s syndrome) are similar to the aging phenotype. As such, we hypothesise that age-related changed in body composition (central obesity, reduced bone density, reduced muscle mass and skin thinning), and resultant chronic disease (type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, sarcopenia and heart disease) may be caused by increased GC exposure with age. However, circulating GC’s show little change with advancing age...

Glucocorticoids (GC), such as prednisolone, are widely prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. However, they have significant side-effects including insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) converts 11-dehydrocorticosterone (11DHC) to active corticosterone (CORT) and thus amplifies local GC action. We hypothesise that enhanced local GC regeneration of exogenously administered GCs by ...