Serum Cortisol-to-Cortisone Ratio and Blood Pressure in Severe Obesity before and after Weight Loss.

Background/aims: The pathogenesis of obesity-associated hypertension is poorly understood. Serum cortisol-to-cortisone ratio (F/E ratio) is a marker of cortisol metabolism. Our objective was to determine whether the serum F/E ratio is associated with blood pressure (BP) in patients after significant weight loss (≥15% from baseline weight).

Impaired 17,20-Lyase Activity in Male Mice Lacking Cytochrome b5 in Leydig Cells.

Androgen and estrogen biosynthesis in mammals requires the 17,20-lyase activity of cytochrome P450 17A1 (steroid 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase). Maximal 17,20-lyase activity in vitro requires the presence of cytochrome b5 (b5), and rare cases of b5 deficiency in human beings causes isolated 17,20-lyase deficiency. To study the consequences of conditional b5 removal from testicular Leydig cells in an animal model, we generated Cyb5(flox/flox):Sf1-Cre (LeyKO) mice.

Adrenal-derived 11-oxygenated 19-carbon steroids are the dominant androgens in classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Objective: To comprehensively characterize androgens and androgen precursors in classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) and to gain insights into the mechanisms of their formation.

Design: Serum samples were obtained from 38 patients (19 men) with classic 21OHD, aged 3-59, and 38 sex- and age-matched controls; 3 patients with 11β-hydroxylase deficiency; 4 patients with adrenal insufficiency; and 16 patients (8 men) undergoing adrenal vein sampling. Paraffin-embedded normal (n = 5) and 21OHD adrenal tissues (n = 3) were used for immunohistochemical studies.

Profiles of 21-Carbon Steroids in 21-hydroxylase Deficiency.

Context: Marked elevations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) are characteristic of classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD). Testing of 17OHP provides the basis for 21OHD diagnosis, although it suffers from several pitfalls. False-positive or false-negative results and poor discrimination of nonclassic 21OHD from carriers limit the utility of serum 17OHP and necessitate dynamic testing after cosyntropin stimulation when values are indeterminate.