Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Effect on Serum Potassium and Insulin Resistance in Dialysis Patients
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background: 18B Glycyrrhetinic acid (active compound of Licorice) decreases serum potassium
via enhanced renal potassium loss in healthy individuals and thereby inducing renal sodium
retention and arterial hypertension.In dialysis patients this mechanism is disturbed and
compensatory intestinal potassium secretion is enhanced. 18B Glycyrrhetinic acid is an
inhibitor of 11B Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b HSD1). Inhibition of 11 b HSD1
offers a novel potential therapy to lower intracellular cortisol concentrations and thereby
enhance insulin sensitivity.
Hypothesis: Glycyrrhetinic acid decreases serum potassium by enhanced intestinal excretion in
dialysis patients and increases insulin sensivity by inhibition of 11b HSD
Methods: double blind, 6 month cross over trial comparing oral 18b Glycyrrhetinic acid with
placebo in 24 nondiabetic dialysis patients.
Endpoints: predialytic serum potassium levels, insuline sensitivity assessed by fasting
glucose and fasting insulin concentrations