OVERVIEW
Licorice toxicity (causing pseudo-hyperaldosteronism) refers to the overconsumption of natural licorice (NOT red licorice) which contains a compound called glycyrrhetic acid. Here are the important points to remember about this phenomenon.
- Glycyrrhetic acid blocks the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase converts cortisol into cortisone in mineralocorticoid receptor-containing cells. This is done so that cortisol does not exhibit its mineralocorticoid activity in these cells (leading to pseudo-hyperaldosteronism).
PATHOPHISOLOGY
Upon excessive ingestion of licorice/licorice products (and subsequent overload of glcyrrhetic acid) 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase will be largely inhibited. This will lead to the accumulation of cortisol within mineralocorticoid receptor-containing cells, leading to increased mineralocorticoid activity.
The net consequence will by pseudo-hyperaldosteronism characterized by:
- Hypertension
- Hypokalemia
- Metabolic alkalosis
*This condition will not have elevated aldosterone levels!
Page Updated: 02.21.2016