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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
11:07
Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding
Published on: September 21, 2011
My engagement with steroids: a review
1General Clinical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco 94110, USA.
Steroids
|January 1, 1995
Summary
This study investigates mineralocorticoid hypertension, revealing novel insights into deoxycorticosterone (DOC) regulation and licorice
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Hypertension Research
- Steroid Metabolism
Background:
- Mineralocorticoid hypertensive disorders present with complex clinical and etiological features.
- Early studies focused on defining the autonomy of aldosterone-producing adenomas.
- Unusual patient cases, including 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency, spurred research into steroid regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and its role in hypertension.
- To explore the mechanisms behind licorice-induced hypertension and its effects on the renin-angiotensin system.
- To identify potential secondary regulators of DOC beyond ACTH.
Main Methods:
- Development of novel techniques for measuring deoxycorticosterone (DOC) metabolites.
- Clinical observation of patients with rare steroidogenic disorders and licorice intoxication.
- Assessment of DOC, 17-deoxysteroids, cortisol, and renin-angiotensin system responses to ACTH stimulation and licorice withdrawal.
Main Results:
- Delayed responses of DOC and 17-deoxysteroids to ACTH stimulation suggested a second regulator.
- Licorice intoxication induced mineralocorticoid hypertension with suppressed renin and aldosterone, and normal DOC.
- Discontinuation of licorice showed prolonged recovery of cortisol metabolism (14 days) and the renin-angiotensin system (4 months).
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest the existence of a second regulator for DOC.
- Licorice contains factors beyond simple mineralocorticoid agonism that suppress the renin-angiotensin system.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific components in licorice responsible for these effects.
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