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Livingstone DEW, Sooy K, Sykes C, Webster SP, Walker BR, Andrew R. 5α-Tetrahydrocorticosterone: A topical anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid with an improved therapeutic index in a murine model of dermatitis. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1256-1267. [PMID: 37990638 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Glucocorticoids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, but are associated with many side-effects. Topical application in atopic dermatitis leads to skin thinning, metabolic changes, and adrenal suppression. 5α-Tetrahydrocorticosterone (5αTHB) is a potential selective anti-inflammatory with reduced metabolic effects. Here, the efficacy and side-effect profile of 5αTHB were compared with hydrocortisone in preclinical models of irritant dermatitis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Acute irritant dermatitis was invoked in ear skin of male C57BL/6 mice with a single topical application of croton oil. Inflammation was assessed as oedema via ear weight following treatment with 5αTHB and hydrocortisone. Side-effects of 5αTHB and hydrocortisone were assessed following chronic topical steroid treatment (28 days) to non-irritated skin. Skin thinning was quantified longitudinally by caliper measurements and summarily by qPCR for transcripts for genes involved in extracellular matrix homeostasis; systemic effects of topical steroid administration also were assessed. Clearance of 5αTHB and hydrocortisone were measured following intravenous and oral administration. KEY RESULTS 5αTHB suppressed ear swelling in mice, with ED50 similar to hydrocortisone (23 μg vs. 13 μg). Chronic application of 5αTHB did not cause skin thinning, adrenal atrophy, weight loss, thymic involution, or raised insulin levels, all of which were observed with topical hydrocortisone. Transcripts for genes involved in collagen synthesis and stability were adversely affected by all doses of hydrocortisone, but only by the highest dose of 5αTHB (8× ED50 ). 5αTHB was rapidly cleared from the systemic circulation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Topical 5αTHB has potential to treat inflammatory skin conditions, particularly in areas of delicate skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Elizabeth Watson Livingstone
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Sooy
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catherine Sykes
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Scott Peter Webster
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian Robert Walker
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ruth Andrew
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Khan S, Livingstone DEW, Zielinska A, Doig CL, Cobice DF, Esteves CL, Man JTY, Homer NZM, Seckl JR, MacKay CL, Webster SP, Lavery GG, Chapman KE, Walker BR, Andrew R. Contribution of local regeneration of glucocorticoids to tissue steroid pools. J Endocrinol 2023; 258:e230034. [PMID: 37343234 PMCID: PMC10448579 DOI: 10.1530/joe-23-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11βHSD1) is a drug target to attenuate adverse effects of chronic glucocorticoid excess. It catalyses intracellular regeneration of active glucocorticoids in tissues including brain, liver and adipose tissue (coupled to hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, H6PDH). 11βHSD1 activity in individual tissues is thought to contribute significantly to glucocorticoid levels at those sites, but its local contribution vs glucocorticoid delivery via the circulation is unknown. Here, we hypothesised that hepatic 11βHSD1 would contribute significantly to the circulating pool. This was studied in mice with Cre-mediated disruption of Hsd11b1 in liver (Alac-Cre) vs adipose tissue (aP2-Cre) or whole-body disruption of H6pdh. Regeneration of [9,12,12-2H3]-cortisol (d3F) from [9,12,12-2H3]-cortisone (d3E), measuring 11βHSD1 reductase activity was assessed at steady state following infusion of [9,11,12,12-2H4]-cortisol (d4F) in male mice. Concentrations of steroids in plasma and amounts in liver, adipose tissue and brain were measured using mass spectrometry interfaced with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation or liquid chromatography. Amounts of d3F were higher in liver, compared with brain and adipose tissue. Rates of appearance of d3F were ~6-fold slower in H6pdh-/- mice, showing the importance for whole-body 11βHSD1 reductase activity. Disruption of liver 11βHSD1 reduced the amounts of d3F in liver (by ~36%), without changes elsewhere. In contrast disruption of 11βHSD1 in adipose tissue reduced rates of appearance of circulating d3F (by ~67%) and also reduced regenerated of d3F in liver and brain (both by ~30%). Thus, the contribution of hepatic 11βHSD1 to circulating glucocorticoid levels and amounts in other tissues is less than that of adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Khan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D E W Livingstone
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Science, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A Zielinska
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - C L Doig
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - D F Cobice
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C L Esteves
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J T Y Man
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - N Z M Homer
- Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J R Seckl
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C L MacKay
- SIRCAMS, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S P Webster
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - G G Lavery
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - K E Chapman
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - B R Walker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - R Andrew
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Goedecke JH, Chorell E, Livingstone DEW, Stimson RH, Hayes P, Adams K, Dave JA, Victor H, Levitt NS, Kahn SE, Seckl JR, Walker BR, Olsson T. Glucocorticoid receptor gene expression in adipose tissue and associated metabolic risk in black and white South African women. Int J Obes (Lond) 2014; 39:303-11. [PMID: 24854429 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2014.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black women have lower visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but are less insulin sensitive than white women; the mechanisms responsible are unknown. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to test the hypothesis that variation in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) sensitivity to glucocorticoids might underlie these differences. METHODS Body fatness (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and distribution (computerized tomography), insulin sensitivity (SI, intravenous and oral glucose tolerance tests), and expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11HSD1), hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucocorticoid receptor-α (GRα), as well as genes involved in adipogenesis and inflammation were measured in abdominal deep SAT, superficial SAT and gluteal SAT (GLUT) depots of 56 normal-weight or obese black and white premenopausal South African (SA) women. We used a combination of univariate and multivariate statistics to evaluate ethnic-specific patterns in adipose gene expression and related body composition and insulin sensitivity measures. RESULTS Although 11HSD1 activity and mRNA did not differ by ethnicity, GRα mRNA levels were significantly lower in SAT of black compared with white women, particularly in the GLUT depot (0.52±0.21 vs 0.91±0.26 AU, respectively, P<0.01). In black women, lower SAT GRα mRNA levels were associated with increased inflammatory gene transcript levels and abdominal SAT area, and reduced adipogenic gene transcript levels, VAT/SAT ratio and SI. Abdominal SAT 11HSD1 activity associated with increased VAT area and decreased SI in white, but not in black women. CONCLUSIONS In black SA women, downregulation of GRα mRNA levels with obesity and reduced insulin sensitivity, possibly via increased SAT inflammation, is associated with reduced VAT accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Goedecke
- 1] Non-Communicable Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa [2] UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - E Chorell
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
| | - D E W Livingstone
- Endocrinology Unit, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - R H Stimson
- Endocrinology Unit, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - P Hayes
- Divison of Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - K Adams
- Divison of Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - J A Dave
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H Victor
- UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - N S Levitt
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - S E Kahn
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, VA Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J R Seckl
- Endocrinology Unit, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - B R Walker
- Endocrinology Unit, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - T Olsson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
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Wilson KS, Matrone G, Livingstone DEW, Al-Dujaili EAS, Mullins JJ, Tucker CS, Hadoke PWF, Kenyon CJ, Denvir MA. Physiological roles of glucocorticoids during early embryonic development of the zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Physiol 2013; 591:6209-20. [PMID: 24167225 PMCID: PMC3892472 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.256826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
While glucocorticoids (GCs) are known to be present in the zebrafish embryo, little is known about their physiological roles at this stage. We hypothesised that GCs play key roles in stress response, hatching and swim activity during early development. To test this, whole embryo cortisol (WEC) and corticosteroid-related genes were measured in embryos from 6 to 120 h post fertilisation (hpf) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Stress response was assessed by change in WEC following stirring, hypoxia or brief electrical impulses applied to the bathing water. The impact of pharmacological and molecular GC manipulation on the stress response, spontaneous hatching and swim activity at different stages of development was also assessed. WEC levels demonstrated a biphasic pattern during development with a decrease from 0 to 36 hpf followed by a progressive increase towards 120 hpf. This was accompanied by a significant and sustained increase in the expression of genes encoding cyp11b1 (GC biosynthesis), hsd11b2 (GC metabolism) and gr (GC receptor) from 48 to 120 hpf. Metyrapone (Met), an inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase (encoded by cyp11b1), and cyp11b1 morpholino (Mo) knockdown significantly reduced basal and stress-induced WEC levels at 72 and 120 hpf but not at 24 hpf. Spontaneous hatching and swim activity were significantly affected by manipulation of GC action from approximately 48 hpf onwards. We have identified a number of key roles of GCs in zebrafish embryos contributing to adaptive physiological responses under adverse conditions. The ability to alter GC action in the zebrafish embryo also highlights its potential value for GC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Wilson
- M. A. Denvir: The University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
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Yang C, Nixon M, Kenyon CJ, Livingstone DEW, Duffin R, Rossi AG, Walker BR, Andrew R. 5α-reduced glucocorticoids exhibit dissociated anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 164:1661-71. [PMID: 21542833 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01465.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Dissociating anti-inflammatory efficacy from the metabolic side effects of glucocorticoids is an attractive therapeutic goal. 5α-Tetrahydro-corticosterone (5αTHB), produced from corticosterone by 5α-reductases, activates glucocorticoid receptors. This study compares the effects of 5αTHB on inflammation and metabolism in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Suppression of cytokine release by 5αTHB and corticosterone were studied following LPS activation of mouse bone marrow derived macrophages. In vivo the efficacy of these steroids to dysregulate metabolic homeostasis and modulate immune suppression and the responses to thioglycollate-induced peritonitis in C57BL/6 mice were studied following acute injection (1.5-15 mg) and chronic infusion (50 µg·day(-1) , 14 days). RESULTS In macrophages, 5αTHB increased secretion of IL-10 similarly to corticosterone (180%, 340%; data are % vehicle, treated with 5αTHB and corticosterone, respectively) and suppressed LPS-induced secretion of TNF-α (21.9%, 74.2%) and IL-6 (16.4%, 69.4%). In mice with thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, both 5αTHB and corticosterone reduced the numbers of neutrophils (58.6%, 49.9%) and inflammatory monocytes (69.5%, 96.4%), and also suppressed MCP-1 (48.7%, 80.9%) and IL-6 (53.5%, 86.7%) in peritoneal exudate. In mice chronically infused with 5αTHB and corticosterone LPS-induced production of TNF-α from whole blood was suppressed to the same degree (63.2%, 37.2%). However, in contrast to corticosterone, 5αTHB did not induce body weight loss, increase blood pressure or induce hyperinsulinaemia. CONCLUSIONS 5αTHB has anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. At doses with equivalent anti-inflammatory efficacy to corticosterone, 5αTHB did not induce metabolic toxicity and thus may be a prototype for a safer anti-inflammatory drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Yang
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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