Apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome

Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is an autosomal recessive^[1] disorder causing hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypokalemia (abnormally low levels of potassium). The condition responds to glucocorticoid treatment. It results from mutations in the HSD11B2 gene, which encodes the kidney isozyme of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. In an unaffected individual, this isozyme inactivates circulating cortisol to the less-active metabolite cortisone. The inactivating mutation leads to elevated local concentrations of cortisol in the kidney. Cortisol at high concentrations can cross-react and activate the mineralocorticoid receptor, leading to aldosterone-like effects in the kidney. This is what causes the hypokalemia, hypertension, and hypernatremia associated with the syndrome.

Other conditions such as Liddle's Syndrome can mimic the clinical features of AME, so diagnosis can be made by calculating the ratio of free urinary cortisol to free urinary cortisone. Since AME patients create less cortisone, the ratio will much be higher than non-affected patients.^[2] Alternatively, one could differentiate between the two syndromes by administering a potassium-sparing diuretic. Patients with Liddle's syndrome will only respond to a diuretic that binds the ENaC channel, whereas those with AME will respond to a diuretic that binds to ENaC or the mineralcorticoid receptor.

AME is exceedingly rare, with less than 100 cases recorded worldwide.^[2]

Liquorice consumption may also cause a temporary form of AME due to its ability to block 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, in turn causing increased levels of cortisol.^[3] Cessation of licorice consumption will reverse this form of AME.

Genetics

Apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.

AME is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.^[1] This means the defective gene responsible for the disorder is located on an autosome, and two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent) are required in order to be born with the disorder. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive disorder both carry one copy of the defective gene, but usually do not experience any signs or symptoms of the disorder.

See also

• Inborn errors of steroid metabolism
• 11β-Hydroxylase I deficiency
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Pseudohyperaldosteronism
• Glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism
• Aldosterone and aldosterone synthase
• Maria New

References

External links

• Apparent mineralocorticoid excess at NIH's Office of Rare Diseases