HSD11B2 and Hypertension: Hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 2 (HSD11B2) catalyzes the conversion of biologically active 11beta-hydroxyglucocorticoids (11beta-hydroxysteroid) such as cortisol, to inactive 11-ketoglucocorticoids (11-oxosteroid) such as cortisone, in the presence of NAD (+).11βHSD1 amplifies glucocorticoid action in cells and contributes to hypertension through direct and indirect effects on the kidney and vasculature in a metabolic syndrome context (Bailey, 2017).