The inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL‐1β, which accumulate in uraemia, are potent inducers of 11β‐HSD1.9, 11 Furthermore, studies in human hepatocytes and animal models of uraemia report marked increases in 11β‐HSD1 activity.7, 8 Our results are therefore consistent with a growing body of evidence that increased inflammatory induction of 11β‐HSD1 contributes considerably to abnormal GC metabolism in patients with CKD. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and chronic kidney disease.