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Metabolic syndrome

Cortisol production and the metabolic syndrome

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 8, page 658 (2011)Cite this article

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“Our interest in the field dates back to 4 years ago, and was inspired by seminal research performed by several groups,” explains Fernández-Vázquez. “This body of knowledge points to a relevant role of local cortisol in the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic syndrome.” 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), which is mainly found in the liver, has a key role because it converts cortisone (inactive) to cortisol.

“In vivo data suggest that hepatic 11β-HSD1 activity is lower in obese than lean individuals, and that this downregulation fails in those obese patients who have metabolic alterations,” says Fernández-Vázquez. As direct data were lacking, the researchers decided to see if different expression levels of genes involved in cortisol production in the liver and/or fat tissues explained susceptibility to the metabolic syndrome in obese patients.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Torrecilla, E. et al. Liver upregulation of genes involved in cortisol production and action is associated with metabolic syndrome in morbidly obese patients. Obes. Surg. doi:10.1007/s11695-011-0524-9

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  1. Isobel Franks
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Franks, I. Cortisol production and the metabolic syndrome. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 8, 658 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2011.202

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