The expression of omental 11β-HSD1 is not increased in severely obese women with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Plasma cortisol in obese subjects does not differ from that in normoweight subjects. Extra-adrenal cortisol production by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) can result in local hypercortisolemia. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of visceral hypercortisolemia in the development of metabolic syndrome in severe obesity. METHODS Eight lean women during hysterectomy (controls) and 19 severely obese women during bariatric surgery were studied, 8 without metabolic syndrome (OM- group) and 11 with it (OM+ group). Biopsies of omental and subcutaneous fat were performed in the severely obese women during surgery, but only omental biopsies in the controls. Expression of 11β-HSD1, glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) and glucocorticoid receptor β (GRβ) was evaluated using real-time PCR. RESULTS Omental 11β-HSD1 expression was different between groups (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.01). Post-hoc analysis revealed that mean omental 11β-HSD1 mRNA levels were higher in the OM- group compared to controls, whereas they were similar when comparing the OM+ group with lean controls. Expression of 11β-HSD1 in subcutaneous fat was not different between OM+ and OM- groups. GRα expression in omental fat did not differ among groups or between omental and subcutaneous fat in severely obese patients. An expression of GRβ was not detected. CONCLUSION Contrary to our original hypothesis, omental 11β-HSD1 expression is not increased in the OM+ group.