Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of [4-14C]estradiol

The conversion of [4-14C]estradiol to water-soluble products by lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) in the presence of added or generated H2O2 was studied using albumin or tyrosine as acceptor. The enzyme was able to catalyze the oxidation and binding of estradiol to albumin even in the absence of 2,4-dichlorophenol at very low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Other systems in which H2O2 was replaced by oxygen and Mn2+, light-sensitized riboflavin or glutathione was also shown to be active in the conversion of estradiol to water-soluble products and the effect of inhibitors on these reactions was investigated. Possible mechanisms for the peroxidase-catalyzed formation of these estradio metabolites are discussed.     

Metabolism of cortisone-4- 14 C by rat lung tissue

The metabolism of cortisone-4-¹⁴C has been studied in male rat lung tissue preparations. Data indicate the presence of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, Δ⁴-5α-reductase, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in this tissue. Metabolites identified were hydrocortisone, 17α, 20α, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 11-dione and 3α, 17α, 21-trihydroxy-5α-pregnan-11,20-dione.     

Turnover of cholesterol-4-14-C and cholic acid-24-14-C by rabbits fed a diet containing lactose

Rabbits fed 0.35% of cholesterol in diets containing either 29.35% of lactose or sucrose were studied for 14 weeks. The rabbits fed lactose had higher plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations than those fed sucrose. The half-life of cholesterol was 19.0 days and 35.0 days for rabbits fed sucrose and lactose, respectively. The half-life, pool size, and daily production of deoxycholic acid were 9.7 days, 1.29 g, and 74.1 mg for rabbits fed sucrose; and 14.2 days, 1.40 g, and 49.1 mg, for those fed lactose. Cholesterol was the major neutral sterol in the feces of the rabbits fed lactose, whereas coprostanol (5 Beta-cholestan-3 Beta-ol) dominated the corresponding fraction in those fed sucrose. The fecal steroid composition did not vary between day and night collections. No sterol esters were detected in the feces. Urinary elimination of radioactivity was less than 10% of that injected. The "lactose effect" seems to be due to enhanced retention of steroids, the mechanism of which has not been elucidated.     

Metabolism of 4-14 C-progesterone in the adult female chimpanzee.

The metabolism of 4- 14-C-progesterone was studied in two adult female chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). After intravenous injection of 4- 14-C-progesterone, urine was collected for 5 days. The urinary conjugates were hydrolyzed with Glusulase and the extracts purified by chromatography on silica gel, paper and alumina and then crystallized to constant specific activity with or without carrier steroid. The major metabolite in both experiments was pregnanediol which accounted for 39.8% and 49.5% of the recovered dose respectively. Pregnanolone (0.6% and 2.1%) and pregnanetriol (0.1% and 1.5%) were also isolated in smaller quantities. These data suggest that the pattern of progesterone metabolism in the chimpanzee is similar to that of man in that pregnanediol is the major metabolite whereas androsterone is not.