aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
The renal mineralocorticoid receptor has a similar affinity for cortisol and aldosterone. Aldosterone exerts its specific mineralocorticoid effect because 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inactivates cortisol within the kidney.
Loss of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 allows cortisol to exert a strong mineralocorticoid effect resulting in:
- hypertension
- hypokalaemia