Abstract: Objective: To determine the effects of tripterygium glycosides (TG) on the expression of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase1（11β-HSD1) in liver and 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase2（11β-HSD2）in kidney of MRL/lpr mice. Methods: Fourteen MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into two groups. Eight mice in the experimental group were given TG, 15mg/kg, once a day, for 15 days. Six mice were used as blank controls. The expression of 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 was detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR．Results: The IOD and mRNA of 11β-HSD1 in the experimental group were 1.03±0.05 and 1.55±0.09, which was higher than those in the control group (0.83±0.04 and 1.23±0.07), with a significant difference (P<0.05). The IOD and mRNA of 11β-HSD2 in the experimental group were 0.86±0.06 and 1.10±0.045, which was lower than those in the control group (0.90±0.05 and 1.15±0.06), with no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: Tripterygium glycosides can induce the expression of 11β-HSD1 in liver．

Key words: tripterygium glycosides, systemetic lupus erythematosus, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase