Hypertension Unusual Cause

Ana Belén Hernández Cascales, Alicia Hernández Torres, María Ángeles Ibáñez Gil, Pedro Pujante Alarcón, Alfonso López Ruiz, María Dolores Hellín Gil, Juan Mayor Barrancos

Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital University Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Hospital University Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain;.
Health Center Mariano Yago, Murcia, Spain;.
Infectious Internal Medicine, Hospital University Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain;.
Roman Alberca Psychiatric Hospital, El Palmar, Spain..
University of Granada, Granada, Spain.

DOI: 10.4236/pp.2014.51001                

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.

Keywords

Licorice; Glycyrrhizic Acid; Glycyrrhizinic Acid; Induced Hypertension; Hypokalemia

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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