Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
Published on: March 12, 2019
[Decreased activity of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in patients with Cushing's syndrome]
P Stiefel1, L Jiménez, J S García-Morillo
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla. stiefel@cica.es
Background:
To study 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in Cushing's syndrome.
Patients And Method:
Measurements of free cortisol, cortisone, tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone in 24 h urine samples of patients with Cushing's syndrome and controls.
Results:
The cortisol to cortisone and tetrahydrocortisol to tetrahydrocortisone relationship was significant (in controls, r = 0.70; p < 0.0001, and r = 0.75; p < 0.0001) respectively, but it was not in patients with Cushing's syndrome.
Conclusions:
11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity is decreased in patients with Cushing's syndrome.
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