5β-Tetrahydrocortisol is an endogenous metabolite of hydrocortisone .1,2 It is also an intermediate in the biosynthesis of β-cortol .2 It is formed from cortisol by steroid 5β-reductase and is dehydrogenated by 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20β-HSD) to produce β-cortol in the liver.3,1,2 Urinary levels of 5β-tetrahydrocortisol have been used as a marker for cortisol production and are associated with metabolic syndrome in obese individuals.4
1.Shackleton, C.H.L.Role of a disordered steroid metabolome in the elucidation of sterol and steroid biosynthesisLipids47(1)1-12(2012) 2.Schiffer, L., Barnard, L., Baranowski, E.S., et al.Human steroid biosynthesis, metabolism and excretion are differentially reflected by serum and urine steroid metabolomes: A comprehensive reviewJ. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol.194105439(2019) 3.Kosicka, K., Siemi?tkowska, A., Pa?ka, D., et al.Detailed analysis of cortisol, cortisone and their tetrahydro- and allo-tetrahydrometabolites in human urine by LC-MS/MSJ. Pharm. Biomed. Anal.140174-181(2017) 4.Baudrand, R., Campino, C., Carvajal, C.A., et al.Increased urinary glucocorticoid metabolites are associated with metabolic syndrome, hypoadiponectinemia, insulin resistance and β cell dysfunctionSteroids76(14)1575-1581(2011)