Liquorice and Hypertension

[Maran]

Cortisol can activate Mineralocorticoid receptors, but it does not normally do so because most cells containing mineralocorticoid receptors also express an enzyme called 11ẞ-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11B-HSD2), which inactivates cortisol by converting it to cortisone. Inhibitors of 11B-HSD2 (such as some liquorice) or mutations in the gene that encodes 11B-HSD2 cause cortisol to act as a Mineralocorticoid, resulting in sodium retention and Hypertension!