Inhibition of the glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 drives concurrent 11-oxygenated androgen excess

Lina Schiffer, Imken Oestlund, Jacky Snoep, Lorna C. Gilligan, Angela E. Taylor, Alexandra J. Sinclair, Rishi Singhal, Adrian Freeman, Ramzi Ajjan, Ana Tiganescu, Wiebke Arlt, Karl-Heinz Storbeck

Research output: Working paper/PreprintPreprint

Abstract

Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a key enzyme in the activation of both classic and 11-oxygenated androgens. In adipose tissue, AKR1C3 is co-expressed with 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1), which catalyses the local activation of glucocorticoids but also the inactivation of 11-oxygenated androgens, and thus has the potential to counteract AKR1C3. Using a combination of in vitro assays and in silico modelling we show that HSD11B1 attenuates the biosynthesis of the potent 11-oxygenated androgen, 11-ketotestosterone, by AKR1C3. Employing ex vivo incubations of human female adipose tissue samples we show that inhibition of HSD11B1 results in the increased peripheral biosynthesis of 11-ketotestosterone. Moreover, circulating 11KT increased 2-3 fold in individuals with type 2 diabetes after receiving the selective oral HSD11B1 inhibitor AZD4017 for 35 days, thus confirming that HSD11B1 inhibition results in systemic increases in 11KT concentrations. Our findings show that HSD11B1 protects against excess 11KT production by adipose tissue, a finding of particular significance when considering the evidence for adverse metabolic effects of androgens in women. Therefore, when targeting glucocorticoid activation by HSD11B1 inhibitor treatment in women, the consequently increased generation of 11-ketotestosterone may offset beneficial effects of decreased glucocorticoid activation.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherbioRxiv
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jun 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Inhibition of the glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 drives concurrent 11-oxygenated androgen excess'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this