11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, a target for development of oral antidiabetic drugs (Review)

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1) is an enzyme that catalyses the transformation of the inactive glucocorticoid cortisone into active cortisol. A chronically elevated level of cortisol as a result of 11β-HSD1 hyperexpression in the liver and fatty tissue leads to the development of metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin-resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and cardiovascular complications. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 is recognized as a promising strategy for reducing the activity of glucocorticoids on a tissue-specific level. Herein inhibitors of 11β-HSD1, representatives of several types of N-containing heterocycles at various research stages, are reviewed as potential drugs influencing metabolic syndrome, DM2, and obesity.