AKR1D1 expression, following over-expression in HEK293 cells, as measured by qPCR (a) and western blotting (b). AKR1D1 over-expression (grey bars) increases cortisone clearance (c) and tetrahydrocortisone generation [5β-THE] (d) in a time-dependent manner, compared to no cell controls (white bars) or vector only transfected cells (black bars). Similarly, in HEK293 cells, AKR1D1 over-expression (grey bars) increases cortisol clearance (e) as well as 5β-THF generation (f), in a time-dependent manner. qPCR data were normalised to 18SrRNA. Data are presented as mean ± se of n = 3 experiments, performed in triplicate, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, compared to vector only transfected controls.