Abstract.
The ability of glucocorticoids to directly alter arterial function, structure and the inflammatory response to vascular injury may contribute to their well-established link with the development of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have emphasised the importance of tissue-specific regulation of glucocorticoid availability by the 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) isozymes, which inter-convert active glucocorticoids and their inactive metabolites. The expression of both type 1 and type 2 11HSDs in the arterial wall suggests that prereceptor metabolism of glucocorticoids may have a direct impact on vascular physiology. Indeed there is evidence that 11HSDs influence glucocorticoid-mediated changes in vascular contractility, vascular structure, the inflammatory response to injury and the growth of new blood vessels. Hence, inhibition of 11HSD isozymes may provide a novel therapeutic target in vascular disease.
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Received 19 September 2005; received after revision 1 November 2005; accepted 25 November 2005
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Hadoke, P.W.F., Macdonald, L., Logie, J.J. et al. Intra-vascular glucocorticoid metabolism as a modulator of vascular structure and function. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 63, 565 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-005-5427-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-005-5427-2