THE 11-BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE SYSTEM, A DETERMINANT OF GLUCOCORTICOID AND MINERALOCORTICOID ACTION - ROLE OF TYPE-1 11-BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE IN DETOXIFICATION PROCESSES

Carbonyl reduction is a significant step in the biotransformation lead ing to the elimination, of endogebnous and exogenous aldehydes, ketone s and quinones. This reaction is mediated by members of the aldoketo r eductase and short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamilies. The essential role of these enzymes in protecting organisms from damag e by the accumulation of toxic carbonyl compounds is generally accepte d, although their physiological roles are not always clear. Recently, the SDR enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-l has been identif ied to perform an important role in the detoxification of non-steroida l carbonyl compounds, in addition to metabolising its physiological gl ucocorticoid substrates. This review summarises the current knowledge of type-1 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and discusses possible substrate/inhibitor interactions. They might impair either the physiol ogical function of glucocorticoids or the detoxification of non-steroi d carbonyl compounds.