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Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity

Meaning

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (HSD) Activity refers to the enzymatic function of a family of enzymes critical for the interconversion of active and inactive steroid hormones within specific tissues. Notably, the 11β-HSD type 1 and type 2 enzymes regulate the local concentration of active cortisol from its inactive precursor, cortisone, and vice versa. The balance of this enzymatic activity is a key determinant of local glucocorticoid action in metabolically sensitive tissues like fat, liver, and muscle, often independent of the systemic cortisol level.