INHIBITION BY GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID OF RAT-TISSUE 11-BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE INVIVO

Inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) in the majo r organs of the rat by the inhibitor glycyrrhetinic acid (a component of licorice) was investigated. The inhibitor decreased 11-HSD levels i n most organs after intraperitoneal injection. The effect was dose dep endent, was maximally effective 3 hours after administration, and was completely reversed at 24 hours. The magnitude and patterns of effecti veness differed between tissues. It was concluded that the inhibition of 11-HSD by glycyrrhetinic acid is not restricted to one or a few org ans, but is broadly based.