Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The enzymes 11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase are key control steps in regulation of cortisol and aldosterone synthesis. We have previously reported that polymorphic variation of the gene encoding aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is associated with altered efficiency of 11b-hydroxylation of the precursor of cortisol, deoxycortisol. In order to examine this relationship in greater detail, we have studied the pattern of steroid precursor metabolite excretion ...

Background: Cortisol availability to target tissues represents a complex interplay of synthesis, secretion, metabolism and excretion. A number of these processes are regulated by enzymes that are encoded by genes that are key candidates in determining the metabolic and cardiovascular phenotype in man. Measurement of a range of corticosteroid metabolites allows the activity of these enzymes to be inferred. We have studied the pattern of cortisol metabolite excretion in a large ...