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

The presence of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-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 11 beta-HSD isoforms in diabetes-related hypertension, we measured the mean systolic blood pressure and the 11 beta-HSD activity and mRNA levels for both 11 beta-HSD1 and 11 beta-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<.01). The renal 11 beta-HSD2 activity and level of mRNA expression were significantly decreased in diabetic rats (P<.01). However, the treatment of rats with STZ did not decrease the levels of renal 11 beta-HSD1 activity and mRNA expression in diabetic rats. insulin administered subcutaneously to diabetic rats for 2 weeks completely reversed the decrease in renal 11 beta-HSD2 activity and gene expression and prevented the elevation in blood pressure in the diabetic rat. These results indicate that alteration of renal 11 beta-HSD2 activity and gene expression may be primarily responsible for the changes in blood pressure of STZ-diabetic rats after early treatment with insulin.