TITLE:
Hypertension Unusual Cause
AUTHORS:
Ana Belén Hernández Cascales, Alicia Hernández Torres, María Ángeles Ibáñez Gil, Pedro Pujante Alarcón, Alfonso López Ruiz, María Dolores Hellín Gil, Juan Mayor Barrancos
KEYWORDS:
Licorice; Glycyrrhizic Acid; Glycyrrhizinic Acid; Induced Hypertension; Hypokalemia
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
6,
2014
ABSTRACT: We expose
a case of a woman with
hypertension and hypokalemia. The differential diagnosis should include primary
hyperaldosteronism, diuretics or lazantes intake, secondary hyperaldosteronism.
In this patient, additional
tests performed show no cause of hormonal
disruption and the whole picture is due to a high intake of licorice. Glycyrrhetinic
acid, the active component of licorice, inhibits renal IIbeta-hydroxisteroid dehydrogenase.
This allows cortisol to stimulate mineralocorticoid receptors. Licorice ingestion
should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypertension with hypokalemia.