The expression of omental 11ß-HSD1 is not increased in severely obese women with metabolic syndrome.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Plasma cortisol in obese subjects does not differ from that in normoweight subjects. Extra-adrenal cortisol production by 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1) can result in local hypercortisolemia. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of visceral hypercortisolemia in the development of metabolic syndrome in severe obesity. METHODS: Eight lean women during hysterectomy (controls) and 19 severely obese women during bariatric surgery were studied, 8 without metabolic syndrome (OM- group) and 11 with it (OM+ group). Biopsies of omental and subcutaneous fat were performed in the severely obese women during surgery, but only omental biopsies in the controls. Expression of 11ß-HSD1, glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) and glucocorticoid receptor ß (GRß) was evaluated using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Omental 11ß-HSD1 expression was different between groups (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.01). Post-hoc analysis revealed that mean omental 11ß-HSD1 mRNA levels were higher in the OM- group compared to controls, whereas they were similar when comparing the OM+ group with lean controls. Expression of 11ß-HSD1 in subcutaneous fat was not different between OM+ and OM- groups. GRα expression in omental fat did not differ among groups or between omental and subcutaneous fat in severely obese patients. An expression of GRß was not detected. CONCLUSION: Contrary to our original hypothesis, omental 11ß-HSD1 expression is not increased in the OM+ group.