Abstract
Apparent mineralocorticoid excess and licorice induced hypertension, both hypertensive disorders, have been attributed to a defect in the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD), which interconverts cortisol to cortisone. Therefore, we undertook this study to determine the role of human placental 11β-HSD activity in preeclampsia, which is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. 11β-HSD activities were determined in placentas of 17 normotensive and 11 preeclamptic patients matched for gestational age at 34–42 weeks. Cortisol levels in umbilical venous and arterial sera were also determined for both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, significanceat p < 0.05. 11β-dehydrogenase (oxidation activity of 11β-HSD) activity was significantly lower in placentas of preeclamptic compared to normotensive patients (0.19 ± 0.09 vs. 0.26 ± 0.08 mmoles/min/placenta, p = 0.02). Cortisol level in umbilical cord blood was significantly higher in the preeclamptic group (14.99 ± 14.08 vs. 6.71 ± 3.69 g/dL, p = 0.02). The decreased 11β-HSD activity is accompanied by an expected increase in umbilical cord blood cortisol level and decrease in fetal weight. This enzyme may play an important role in influencing fetal growth.
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