OBJECTIVE Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases; however, both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that changes in the cellular milieu of either the cardiomyocyte and/or cells of the vasculature is required for corticosteroid signalling to be pathological. The aim of the current study was to directly address whether signalling path...

Background: Long-term glucocorticoid therapy causes secondary osteoporosis leading to pathological fractures. Glucocorticoid action in bone is dependant upon the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme (11β-HSD1). Piper sarmentosum is a local herb that possesses the ability to inhibit 11-βHSD1 enzyme activity. We aimed to determine the effects of Piper sarmentosum wat...

We describe a case of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (hypertension, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and low plasma renin activity) secondary to itraconazole therapy. Inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 was demonstrated, and withholding itraconazole led to resolution of adverse effects that did not recur with voriconazole. This report adds to a growing body of evidence linking a...

Licorice extract has long been known as a natural sweetener and thirst reliever. Many people who take large amounts are prone to complications overestimate its nutritional benefits. Glycyrrhetic acid, the active metabolite in licorice, inhibits 11-ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme type 2 causing increased cortisol levels hypernatremia, hypokalemia. In this case report, we ensure holistic st...

background: long-term glucocorticoid therapy causes secondary osteoporosis leading to pathological fractures. glucocorticoid action in bone is dependant upon the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme (11β-hsd1). piper sarmentosum is a local herb that possesses the ability to inhibit 11-βhsd1 enzyme activity. we aimed to determine the effects of piper sarmentosum water extra...

An ultrasensitive method for the determination of proteins is described that combines an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a thionicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (thio-NAD) cycling method. A sandwich method using a primary and a secondary antibody for antigens is employed in an ELISA. An androsterone derivative, 3α-hydroxysteroid, is produced by the hydrolysis of 3α-hydroxysteroid ...

The discrete effects of obesity on infertility in females remain undefined to date. To investigate obesity-induced ovarian dysfunction, we characterized metabolic parameters, steroidogenesis, and folliculogenesis in obese and lean female Ossabaw mini-pigs. Nineteen nulliparous, sexually mature female Ossabaw pigs were fed a high fat/cholesterol/fructose diet (n=10) or a control diet (n=9) for e...