Gene expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 in the kidneys of insulin-dependent diabetic rats

Abstract

The presence of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) activity in the kidney has been suggested to be important in the regulation of glucocorticoid-induced disorders of electrolyte balance and the control of blood pressure. To assess the possible effect of 11β-HSD isoforms in diabetes-related hypertension, we measured the mean systolic blood pressure and the 11β-HSD activity and mRNA levels for both 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 in the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic female rats. Three weeks after injection of STZ (65 mg/kg), the mean systolic blood pressure of diabetic rats was elevated 13.6% above that of normal rats (P