In vitro metabolism of cortisol by human abdominal adipose tissue

[1,2-3H]-cortisol was incubated with homogenates of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained from non-obese and obese female patients. In the presence of NAD or NADP 15-18% of the substrate was converted to cortisone: no other products could be detected. No cortisol metabolism could be detected upon the addition of NADH or NADPH. Kinetic studies of the dependency of cortisone formation upon incubation time, tissue and substrate concentrations showed that 11 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity in homogenates of adipose tissue if taken from the non-obese and obese patients is similar. The possible significance of 11 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity in adipose tissue is discussed.