Studies on heterocyclic compounds: 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. IV. Biological activity of variously substituted 2,3-diaryl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones

The following 2,3-diaryl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones of general formula (A) were synthesized and screened for antimicrobial activity. (formula; see text) where: X = H (I, III, V, VII, IX, XI, XIII, XV, XVII, XIX, XXI, XXIII), CH3 (II, IV, VI, VIII, X, XII, XIV, XVI, XVIII, XX, XXII, XXIV); R = H (I, II, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XIII), 4-CH3 (XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV), 4-Br (III, IV, IX, X), 2-NO2 (XIII, XIV), 3-NO2 (XV, XVI), 4-NO2 (XVII, XVIII), 4-OCH3 (XIX, XX); R' = H (I, II, III, IV, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII), 4-CH3 (XXIII, XXIV), 3-Br (V, VI), 4-Br (VII, VIII, IX, X), 4-J (XI, XII). These compounds were prepared by the general synthetic procedure previously reported for the 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives already prepared and screened in this SARs program. The synthetic approach involves the cyclocondensation of the appropriate Schiff bases with alpha-mercaptoalkanoic acids. The prepared compounds were screened against S. aureus, S. beta-haemolititicus, B. subtilis, M. paratuberculosis 607, S. typhi, Kl. pneumoniae, E. coli Bb, Ps, aeruginosa, C. albicans, A. niger, S. cerevisiae by a disk-diffusion assay (Kirby-Bauer modified). The results obtained in this investigation showed that the prepared compounds exhibited varying degrees of antimicrobial activity. They were especially inhibitory toward Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. 4-Nitroderivatives (XVII), (XVIII), and 2-nitroderivatives (XIV) and (XIII) possessed marked antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. beta-haemoliticus, and B. subtilis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on heterocyclic compounds: spiro [indole-3,2'-thiazolidine] derivatives. Antimicrobial activity of monohalogenated 3'-phenylspiro 3H-indole-3,2'-thiazolidine-2,4' (1H)-diones

The following halogenated 3'-phenyl [3H-indole-3,2'-thiazolidine]-2,4'(1H)-dione of general formula (A) were synthesized and screened for antimicrobial activity. (formula: see text) where: X = H (I, III, V, VII, IX, XI, XIII, XV), CH3 (II, IV, VI, VIII, X, XII, XIV, XVI); Y = H (I, II), 3-F (III, IV), 2-Cl (V, VI), 3-Cl (VII, VIII), 4-Cl (IX, X), 2-Br (XI, XII), 3-Br (XIII, XIV), 4-Br (XV, XVI). The synthetic approach involves the preparation of variously substituted Schiff-bases of indol-2,3-dione, which then are subjected to cyclocondensation with alpha-mercaptoalkanoic acids, to give spirothiazolidinones of type (A). The prepared compounds were screened against S. aureus, B. cereus, M. paratuberculosis, E. coli, S. typhi, Pr. mirabilis, Ps. aeruginosa, C. albicans, S. cerevisiae, A. niger by a disk-diffusion assay (Kirby-Bauer modified. The results of the antimicrobial screening showed that the prepared compounds exhibited varying degrees of activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. 3-Fluoro-derivative (III) showed inhibitory activity especially toward S. aureus and C. albicans. Chloroderivatives (VII) and (VIII) showed broad-spectrum "in vitro" antimicrobial activity, and were especially inhibitory toward S. aureus, E. coli, and S. Typhi. Fluoro-derivative (IV) and bromo-derivatives (XIII) and (XIV) possessed marked antimicrobial activity against M. paratuberculosis.     

Structure-activity relationships of hydrazono derivatives of biological interest

The following hydrazono derivatives (I-XXIII) of type (A), (formula; see text) where: X = NO2 (II, IV, VI, VIII, X, XIV-XXIII), X = H (I, III, V, VII, IX, XI, XII, XIII), and Y = H (I, II); 3-Cl (III, IV); 4-Cl (V, VI); 3,4-Cl2 (VII, VIII); 2,6-Cl2 (IX, X); 2-NO2 (XI); 3-NO2 (XII); 4-NO2 (XIII, XIV); 2-F (XV); 3-F (XVI); 4-F (XVII); 2-OH (XVIII); 4-OH (XIX); 2,4-(OH)2(XX); 2,4,6-(OH)3(XXI); 2,3-(OH,NO2) (XXII); 2,4-(NO2)2 (XXIII), were prepared and tested for antibacterial and antifungal activity. All of these compounds were prepared in satisfactory yield by reaction of aromatic aldehydes with 2-furoyl and 5-nitro-2-furoyl hydrazide. The hydrazono derivatives I-XXIII prepared in this investigation were screened for antimicrobial activity by a disk-diffusion assay (Kirby-Bauer modified). The organisms used were laboratory cultures of S. aureus, S. -haemoliticus, B. subtilis, M. paratuberculosis, E. coli, S. typhi, Ps. aeruginosa, K1. pneumoniae, A. niger, S. cerevisiae, C. albicans. The results of this study showed that a number of the prepared hydrazono derivatives exhibited varying degrees of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compounds IV and XV possessed broad spectrum "in vitro" against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compounds XII greater than IV greater than XV showed inhibitory activity especially toward S. aureus. Compounds IV greater than XV greater than XVI were especially active against E. coli. Compounds XV greater than IV were especially inhibitory toward S. typhi and most of the prepared compounds inhibited considerably Ps. aeruginosa and K1. pneumoniae.     

Isolation and Characterization of a Free Gibberellin and Glucosyl Esters of Gibberellins in Mature Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris

Treatment of N⁶,N⁶,5′-O-tribenzoyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylidenetubercidin (VI) with aqueous acetic acid afforded N⁶,5′-O-dibenzoyltubercidin (V), which was mesylated to yield the dimesylate X. On treatment of X with sodium iodide and zinc dust, the 2′,3′-unsaturated derivatives of tubercidin XI and XIII were obtained.

N⁶,5′-O-Dibenzoyltubercidin 2′,3′-thionocarbonate (XIV), prepared from V by treatment with Corey-Winter reagent, was converted to the 1-methyl-2′,3′-unsaturated derivative XV in refluxing trimethyl phosphite.     

A New Ring Fission Product Suggestive of an Unknown Reductive Step in the Degradation of n-Butylbenzene by Pseudomonas

Naringenin-7-β-maltoside (I), -7-β-cellobioside (II), -7-β-lactoside (III), -7-β-melibioside (IV) and hesperetin-7-β-[d-galactosyl (α 1→2) d-glucoside] (V), -7-β-[d-glucosyl (β 1→2) d-galactoside] (VI) and -7-β-melibioside (VII) were prepared by the coupling of naringenin or hesperetin with the acetobromo derivatives of appropriate disaccharides followed by removal of the protecting acetyl groups.

Narigenindihydrochalcone-4′-β-kojibioside (VIII), -4′-β-maltoside (IX), -4′-β-cellobioside (X), -4′-β-lactoside (XI), -4′-β-melibioside (XII) and hesperetindihydrochalcone-4′-β-[d-galactosyl (α 1→2) d-glucoside] (XIII), -4′-β-sophoroside (XIV) and -4′-β-melibioside (XV) were synthesized by catalytic reduction of the appropriate flavanone-7-β-glycosides.

Among the compounds synthesized, IX and X are 4 and 8 times as sweet as sucrose on the basis of percentage concentration, respectively, but the others are tasteless.     

Synthesis and Taste of Some Dihydrochalcone Glycosides

Hesperetin-7-β-maltoside (V), -7-β-cellobioside (VI) and -7-β-lactoside (VII) were prepared by the coupling of hesperetin with the α-acetobromo derivatives of the appropriate disaccharides, followed by saponification. V was showed to be as sweet as glucose.

Naringenindihydrochalcone-4′-β-sophoroside (VIII), -4′-[β-d-glucosyl (1→2) β-d-galactoside] (IX) and also hesperetindihydrochalcone-4′-β-kojibioside (X), -4′-β-maltoside (XI), -4′-β-cellobioside (XII) and -4′-β-lactoside (XIII) were prepared by the catalytic reduction of the appropriate flavanone-7-β-glycosides in alkaline medium.

Their relative sweetness values were discussed in comparison with dihydrochalcones of naringin and neohesperidin.     

Sulfonamides incorporating 1,3,5-triazine moieties selectively and potently inhibit carbonic anhydrase transmembrane isoforms IX, XII and XIV over cytosolic isoforms I and II: Solution and X-ray crystallographic studies

Reaction of cyanuryl chloride with d,l-amino acids and amino alcohols afforded a new series of triazinyl-substituted benzenesulfonamides incorporating amino acyl/hydroxyalkyl-amino moieties. Inhibition studies of physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, such as CA I, II, IX, XII and XIV with these compounds are reported. They showed moderate-weak inhibition of the cytosolic, offtarget isozymes CA I and II, but many of them were low nanomolar inhibitors of the transmembrane, tumor-associated CA IX and XII (and also of CA XIV). The X-ray crystal structure of two of these compounds in adduct with CA II allowed us to understand the features associated with this strong inhibitory properties and possibly also their selectivity. Two of these compounds were also investigated for the inhibition of other human isoforms, that is, hCA IV, VA, VB, VI, VII and XIII, as well as inhibitors of the fungal pathogenic CAs Nce103 (Candida albicans) and Can2 (Cryptococcus neoformans), showing interesting activity. The 1,3,5-triazinyl-substituted benzenesulfonamides constitute thus a class of compounds with great potential for obtaining inhibitors targeting both α-class mammalian, tumor-associated, and β-class from pathogenic organisms CAs.     

Inhibition of mammalian carbonic anhydrases I-XIV with grayanotoxin III: solution and in silico studies

Abstract

Grayanotoxin III (GTX3) was investigated for inhibition of all catalytically active mammalian carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, i.e. CA I to CA XIV. It showed micromolar inhibition (K_Is of 8.01 and 6.13?µM) for cytosolic isoforms CA I and II, respectively. GTX3 showed a submicromolar inhibition (K_Is in the range of 0.51–2.15?µM) for the remaining cytosolic (CA III, VII and XIII), membrane-associated/transmembrane (CA IV, IX, XII and XIV), mitochondrial (CA VA and CA VB) and secreted (CA VI) isoforms. This inhibition profile is very different from that of the sulfonamide CA inhibitors (CAIs), which possess different clinical applications. A molecular docking study for GTX3 within the active sites of CA I and II assisted to the understanding of molecular mechanism of the ligand. The interesting inhibition profile, coupled with various possibilities of interacting with the enzyme active site make this family of natural compounds attractive leads for designing novel chemotypes acting as CAIs.     

Total Synthesis of dl-Deguelin

Starting with resorcinol, the total synthesis of dl-deguelin (VI) was accomplished. In the course of this investigation, dihydrodeguelic acid (II), dihydroisodeguelic acid (X), dihydro-dehydrodeguelin (III), dehydrodeguelin (IV), dl-deguelol (V) and dihydro-β-rotenonone (XI) were prepared. But the reduction of dihydrodehydrodeguelin (III) to dihydrodeguelin (XII) resulted in failure. The preparation of dihydrodeguelol (XIIIa), its acetate (XIIIb) and dihydro-desoxy-Δ¹¹-dehydrodeguelin (XIV) was also described.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Interaction of the antitumor sulfamate EMD 486019 with twelve mammalian carbonic anhydrase isoforms: Kinetic and X-ray crystallographic studies

The new antitumor sulfamate EMD 486019 was investigated for its interaction with twelve catalytically active mammalian carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes, hCA I – XIV. Similarly to 667-Coumate, a structurally related compound in phase II clinical trials as steroid sulfatase/CA inhibitor with potent antitumor properties, EMD 486019 acts as a strong inhibitor of isozymes CA II, VB, VII, IX, XII, and XIV (K_Is in the range of 13–19 nM) being less effective against other isozymes (K_Is in the range of 66–3600 nM against hCA I, IV, VA, VI, and mCA XIII, respectively). The complete inhibition profile of 667-Coumate against these mammalian CAs is also reported here for the first time. Comparing the X-ray crystal structures of the two adducts of CA II with EMD 486019 and 667-Coumate, distinct orientations of the bound sulfamates within the enzyme cavity were observed, which account for their distinct inhibition profiles. CA II/IX potent inhibitors belonging to the sulfamate class are thus valuable clinical candidates with potential for development as antitumor agents with a multifactorial mechanism of action.     

Dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate,K2[B3O3F4OH], is a potent inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrases

Abstract

The boron heterocyclic compound dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate (K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH]) was investigated as inhibitor of the zinc enzyme, carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). Eleven human (h) CA isoforms, hCA I–IV, VA, VI, VII, IX and XII–XIV, were included in the investigations. The anion, similar to tetraborate or phenylboronic acid, inhibited most of them. hCA III was not inhibited by K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH], whereas hCA VA, hCA VI, hCA IX and hCA XIII were inhibited in the submillimolar range, with K_Is of 0.31–0.63?mM. hCA I and II (cytosolic, widespread isoforms), hCA IV (membrane-bound isoform), hCA XII (tumor-associated, transmembrane) and hCA XIV (transmembrane) were much more effectively inhibited by this anion, with inhibition constants ranging from 25 to 93?µM. hCA VII, a cytosolic enzyme present in the brain and associated to oxidative stress, was very effectively inhibited by K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH], with a K_I of 8.0?µM. We propose that K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH] binds to the metal ion from the enzyme active site, coordinating to the Zn(II) ion monodentately through its B-OH functionality. We hypothesize that some of the beneficial antitumor effects reported for K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH] may be due to the inhibition of CAs present in skin tumors.     

Formation of Glucose Isomerase by Streptomyces sp.

Sophoradin (I) [2′,4,4′-trihydroxy-3,3′,5-tris(3-methyl-2-butenyl)chalcone] which had been isolated from “Guang-Dou-Gen” (the root of Sophora subprostrata Chun et T. Chen) was synthesized through Claisen rearrangement. The reaction of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butyne (III) gave 4-(1,1-dimethylpropargyloxy)benzaldehyde (VIII), which was catalytically hydrogenated over Lindlar catalyst to afford 4-(1,1-dimethylallyloxy)benzaldehyde (IX). IX was converted to 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzaldehyde (X) by Claisen rearrangement. The reaction of X and III gave 3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-(1,1-dimethylpropargyloxy)benzaldehyde (XI). Condensation of 2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylpropargyloxy)acetophenone (IV) and XI in alkaline solution gave a chalcone (XIII), which was catalytically hydrogenated over Lindlar catalyst to give 2′-hydroxy-4,4′-bis(1,-dimethylallyloxy)-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)chalcone (XIV). XIV was converted to I by Claisen rearrangement.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Interaction of indapamide and related diuretics with 12 mammalian isozymes and X-ray crystallographic studies for the indapamide-isozyme II adduct

Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, quinethazone, metolazone, chlorthalidone, indapamide, furosemide, and bumetanide containing primary sulfamoyl moieties were reevaluated as inhibitors of 12 human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs, EC 4.2.1.1). These drugs considerably inhibit (low nanomolar range) some CA isozymes involved in critical physiologic processes, among the 16 present in vertebrates, for example, metolazone against CA VII, XII, and XIII, chlorthalidone against CA VB, VII, IX, XII, and XIII, indapamide against CA VII, IX, XII, and XIII, furosemide against CA I, II, and XIV, and bumetanide against CA IX and XII. The X-ray crystal structure of the hCA II-indapamide adduct was also resolved at high resolution.     

Rubipodanin B,a New Cytotoxic Cyclopeptide from Rubia podantha

Using the TLC cyclopeptide protosite detection method, a new cyclohexapeptide named rubipodanin B ( 1 ), together with 11 known Rubiaceae‐type cyclopeptides (RAs), RA‐X‐OMe ( 2 ), RA‐IV ( 3 ), RA‐XI ( 4 ), RA‐XIII‐OMe ( 5 ), rubiyunnanin C ( 6 ), RA‐I ( 7 ), RA‐III ( 8 ), RA‐V ( 9 ), RA‐VII ( 10 ), RA‐XII ( 11 ) and rubipodanin A ( 12 ), were obtained from the roots and rhizomes of Rubia podantha Diels . The structures were determined using various spectroscopic methods. Among them, 2 was firstly identified as a natural product, and 3–6 were firstly isolated from this species. Cytotoxicity and NF‐κB signaling pathway activity of 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 and 9 were evaluated. All these compounds showed cytotoxic activities against three human tumor cell lines, MDA‐MB‐231, SW620 and HepG2, with the IC₅₀ values between 0.015 and 10.27 μm , and only 7 and 9 possessed NF‐κB inhibitory activities with the IC₅₀ values of 2.42 and 0.046 μm , respectively, which demonstrated that 2‐alanine amino acid plays a key role to maintain the RAs bioactivity.     

Benzenesulfonamides with benzimidazole moieties as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases I,II, VII,XII and XIII

Abstract

A series of benzenesulfonamide derivatives, bearing benzimidazole moieties, were designed and synthesized as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CAs). Their binding affinities to recombinant human CA isozymes I, II, VII, XII and XIII were determined by the thermal shift assay. A group of compounds containing a benzimidazole substituent in the para position of the benzenesulfonamide ring was found to exhibit higher binding potency toward tested CAs than meta-substituted benzenesulfonamides. Some of these compounds exhibited nanomolar affinities and selectivity toward the CA isozymes tested.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: interactions of phenols with the 12 catalytically active mammalian isoforms (CA I-XIV)

The inhibition of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) with three phenols was investigated. Phenol was an effective CA I-IV, IX, XII and XIV inhibitor (K(I)s of 2.7-11.5 microM) and a less effective one against the other isoforms, CA VA, VB, VI, VII, and XIII (K(I)s of 208-710 micraoM). 3,5-Difluorophenol was an effective inhibitor of CA III, IV, IX, and XIV (K(I)s of 0.71-10.7 microM) being a weaker one for CA I, II, VA, VB, VI, VII, XII, and XIII (K(I)s of 33.9-163 microM). Clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinolinol) was the best phenol inhibitor against all isozymes, with inhibition constants in the range of 3.3-16.0 microM. These data prove that the phenol OH moiety can be considered as a new 'zinc-water binding group' for the design of CA inhibitors possessing a different inhibition mechanism as compared to the classical sulfonamide inhibitors that bind the metal ion within the active site cavity.     

Cosexuality in the Leech,Nephelopsis obscura (Erpobdellidae)

Summary

Hermaphroditism of the erpobdellid leach Nephelopsis obscura is described on the basis of macroscopic and histological studies of the gonads. Perivitellogenic cells (female primordial germ cells) proliferate from the septa of segments XII and XIII in individuals of 26–30 mg and spermatogenic cells from segments XII to XIII of 20–25 mg specimens. The majority of hatch- lings develop functional testisacs when they reach 170 mg and functional ovisacs when they reach 250 mg. Oocytes proliferate only after the formation of stage 5–6 spermatozoa. Thus, N. obscura is a sequential cosexual hermaphrodite with spermatogenesis and mature spermatozoa development commencing before oogenesis. During the second cycle of gametogenesis observed in larger animals, both mature spermatozoa and ova co-occur and N. obscura exhibits simultaneous hermaphroditism.     

New chemotypes acting as isozyme-selective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with low affinity for the offtarget cytosolic isoform II

Considering phenols and coumarins as lead molecules for obtaining non-sulfonamide inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1), we screened a large number of compounds possessing diverse chemotypes, but structural features which resemble the two chemical classes. Here we report an investigation of such derivatives which do not significantly inhibit CA II, but show interesting inhibition profiles against other isozymes. Pyridine-N-oxide-2-thiophenol, thiobenzoic acid, thimerosal, two oximes derived from a six-membered-ring lactone and from coumarin; 2-hydroxyquinoline and coumaphos, were investigated as inhibitors of CA I-XIV. All these compounds did not inhibit CA II, whereas the two oximes and 2-hydroxyquinoline were low nanomolar inhibitors of CA I, IX, XII, XIII and XIV, showing a very different inhibition profile compared to sulfonamides and sulfamates. Some other compounds showed low micromolar inhibition of other isoforms of interest, such as CA VA/VB, CA VI and VII. This study demonstrates that a rather wide range of structures show low nanomolar-micromolar inhibitory activity against many CA isozymes, without inhibiting significantly the offtarget isoform CA II.     

Characterization of biosurfactants as insecticidal metabolites produced by Bacillus subtilis Y9

Biosurfactants have been used for crop protection in integrated pest management programs, as they are generally biodegradable and environmentally friendly. While screening for insecticidal bacteria against green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, we found that a Bacillus isolate, Y9, exhibited strong surface tension activity and produced insecticidal metabolites. The insecticidal metabolites with surface tension activity were extracted from the cell‐free supernatant of Y9 and subjected to repetitive column chromatography and preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based on data from instrumental analyses, the metabolites were identified as surfactin isomers consisting of C₁₄[Leu₇], C₁₄[Val₇] and C₁₅[Leu₇]. The isomers with leucine showed higher insecticidal activity than the isomers with valine. Y9 was capable of producing biosurfactants as insecticidal metabolites against M. persicae, and showed potential for use as a biocontrol agent in an integrated pest management program.     

17-Epimerization of 17 alpha-methyl anabolic steroids in humans: metabolism and synthesis of 17 alpha-hydroxy-17 beta-methyl steroids.

The 17-epimers of the anabolic steroids bolasterone (I), 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (II), fluoxymesterone (III), furazabol (IV), metandienone (V), mestanolone (VI), methyltestosterone (VII), methandriol (VIII), oxandrolone (IX), oxymesterone (X), oxymetholone (XI), stanozolol (XII), and the human metabolites 7 alpha,17 alpha-dimethyl-5 beta-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (XIII) (metabolite of I), 6 beta-hydroxymetandienone (XIV) (metabolite of V), 17 alpha-methyl-5 beta-androst-1-ene-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (XV) (metabolite of V), 3'-hydroxystanozolol (XVI) (metabolite of XII), as well as the reference substances 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-5 beta-androstan-3-one (XVII), 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-5 beta-androst-1-en-3-one (XVIII) (also a metabolite of V), the four isomers 17 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (XIX) (also a metabolite of VI, VII, and XI), 17 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol (XX), 17 alpha-methyl-5 beta-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (XXI) (also a metabolite of V, VII, and VIII), 17 alpha-methyl-5 beta-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol (XXII), and 17 beta-hydroxy-7 alpha,17 alpha-dimethyl-5 beta-androstan-3-one (XXIII) were synthesized via a 17 beta-sulfate that spontaneously hydrolyzed in water to several dehydration products, and to the 17 alpha-hydroxy-17 beta-methyl epimer. The 17 beta-sulfate was prepared by reaction of the 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl steroid with sulfur trioxide pyridine complex. The 17 beta-methyl epimers are eluted in gas chromatography as trimethylsilyl derivatives from a capillary SE-54 or OV-1 column 70-170 methylen units before the corresponding 17 alpha-methyl epimer. The electron impact mass spectra of the underivatized and trimethylsilylated epimers are in most cases identical and only for I, II, and V was a differentiation between the 17-epimers possible. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra show for the 17 beta-methyl epimer a chemical shift for the C-18 protons (singlet) of about 0.175 ppm (in deuterochloroform) to a lower field. 13C NMR spectra display differences for the 17-epimeric steroids in shielding effects for carbons 12-18 and 20. Excretion studies with I-XII with identification and quantification of 17-epimeric metabolites indicate that the extent of 17-epimerization depends on the A-ring structure and shows a great variation for the different 17 alpha-methyl anabolic steroids.