Increased cortisol metabolism in women with pregnancy-related hypertension

The diminished function of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) was found in placentae from preeclamptic pregnancies. Here, we examine the overall maternal glucocorticoid balance in pregnancy-related hypertension. We aim to answer the question if the functions of primary enzymes involved in cortisol metabolism: 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 and 5-reductases (both 5α- and 5β) are altered in the course of hypertensive pregnancy.

We determined plasma and urinary cortisol and cortisone as well as their urinary tetrahydro- and allo-tetrahydrometabolites, both in free and conjugated forms in samples obtained from 181 Polish women in the third trimester of pregnancy. We compared steroid profiles in women with preeclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension (GH), chronic hypertension (CH) and in normotensives (controls).

We found significant differences in glucocorticoid balance in pregnancy-related hypertension. Plasma cortisol to cortisone was significantly lower in PE than in controls (3.00 vs. 4.79; p < 0.001). Increased function of renal 11β-HSD2 in PE and GH was manifested by significantly lower urinary free cortisol to cortisone ratio (0.169 and 0.206 vs. 0.277 in controls; p < 0.005). Markedly enhanced metabolism of cortisol was observed in pregnancy-related hypertension, with no significant alterations in CH, and the changes were more clearly expressed in PE than in GH.

The glucocorticoid balance in PE and GH is shifted towards decreasing cortisol concentration either due to intensified conversion to cortisone or enhanced production of tetrahydro and allo-tetrahydrometabolites.