PLASMA CORTISONE IN THE METABOLIC SYNDROME

这个子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和调查员(PI)可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可能会出现在其他CRISE条目中。列出的机构是针对中心的，而不一定是针对调查员的机构。可的松的活性形式是皮质醇，这是一种在肾上腺中产生的物质。皮质醇被肾脏灭活，形成失活的皮质醇，而皮质醇在肝脏和脂肪组织中重新激活，形成活性皮质醇。最近的证据表明，肥胖者的脂肪细胞增加了重新激活皮质醇的酶的活性。由于皮质醇的过度生产会导致腹型肥胖，这种激活过程的过度活跃可能是导致某些人肥胖恶化的原因。为了确定这一途径的重要性，我们计划使用甘草提取物阻止肾脏中皮质醇的形成。如果脂肪细胞中皮质醇的重新激活是导致腹部肥胖的重要因素，抑制皮质醇的形成应该会导致腹部脂肪的减少。我们将研究12名患有腹型肥胖的女性。6名受试者将接受为期6个月的甘草提取物治疗，另外6名受试者将接受为期6个月的不含药物的药片治疗。每个受试者都将参加一项锻炼计划，并遵循节食。我们将在治疗前和治疗期间测量体重、腹部和全身脂肪含量、糖、胰岛素、胆固醇和血压。已知的甘草副作用包括盐滞留、血压升高和钾丢失。为了防止这些副作用，我们将服用螺内酯和甘草提取物。安体舒通是一种有效的抑制甘草降压、保盐和耗钾作用的药物。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The active form of cortisone is cortisol, a substance made in the adrenal glands. Cortisol is inactivated by the kidney to form inactive cortisone, and cortisone is reactivated in liver and fat tissue to reform active cortisol. Recent evidence suggests that fat cells in obese individuals have increased activity of the enzyme that reactivates cortisone. Since overproduction of cortisol causes abdominal obesity, it is possible that overactivity of this reactivation process is responsible for worsening obesity in some individuals. In order to determine the importance of this pathway, we plan to block the formation of cortisone in the kidney using a licorice extract. If reactivation of cortisone in fat cells is important in causing abdominal obesity, inhibition of cortisone formation should cause a decrease in abdominal fat. We will study twelve women with abdominal obesity. Six subjects will be treated with licorice extract for six months and the other six subjects will receive pills which do not contain medication for six months. Each subject will participate in an exercise program and will follow a diet. We will measure weight, abdominal and total body fat content, sugar, insulin, cholesterol and blood pressure before treatment and during treatment. Known side effects of licorice include salt retention, increased blood pressure and potassium loss. In order to prevent these side effects, we will administer spironolactone along with the licorice extract. Spironolactone is an effective inhibitor of the hypertensive, salt retaining and potassium wasting effects of licorice.