The role of 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type2 isoenzymes on the pathogenesis of Cushing’s syndrome - doi:10.5020/18061230.2007.p104

Abstract

The action of glucocorticoids is modulated by isoenzymes 11?-hidroxiesteróide desidrogenases (11?-HSD) type 1 and 2. The knowledge concerning these isoenzymes contribute to the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in several disease processes of the Cushing’s syndrome, such as obesity, osteoporosis and hypertension. With the aim at describing the action of isoenzymes 11?-HSD type 1 and 2 in the Cushing’s syndrome, a literature review was done from 1990 - 2006 using the Medline data base, searching for the following key-words: Cushing’s syndrome, glucocorticoids, 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity. Review studies, meta-analysis and original articles were selected and chosen on the basis of methodological aspects and relevance. The exact mechanism by which cortisol increases blood pressure is not completely understood, but it involves, among others factors, changes in the sodium homeostasis. The conversion of cortisone to cortisol through expression of 11?-HSD1 induces the differentiation of preadipoctyes to mature adipoctyes and such patients develop an increase in visceral fat. The prevalence of osteoporosis in adult patients with Cushing’s syndrome is approximately 50% and glucocorticoids play a strong effect on the bone and calcium metabolism. The isoenzymes 11?-HSD1 and 11?-HSD2 have an important function in these several pathophysiology processes; however the isoenzymes action in the pathophysiology of the Cushing’s syndrome need to be more investigated.