The metabolism of aldosterone and 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone in the rabbit

Analysis of urinary metabolites of [1, 2-3H]-aldosterone and [1, 2-3H]-3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone was performed in male rabbits. The preliminary separation of urinary metabolites was carried out by submitting these metabolites to countercurrent distribution. Further separation of each fraction thus obtained was achieved by means of DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. The separated peak was then hydrolyzed with the enzyme and the free steroid released was identified on the basis of the mobilities of the steroid and its derivatives on paper chromatography. After the injection of [1, 2-3H]-aldosterone, a major urinary metabolite was characterized as monosulphate of 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone. In addition, a small amount of the monoglucosiduronate fraction was found in the urine. 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone and 3 beta, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone were detected as aglycones in this fraction. After the injection of [1, 2-3H]-3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone, a similar pattern of urinary radiometabolites was observed. The close similarity between the profile of urinary metabolites of [1, 2-3H]-aldosterone and that of [1, 2-3H]-3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone suggests that the conversion of aldosterone to 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone is needed before the conjugation processes take place.     

Analysis of urinary aldosterone metabolites in the rabbit by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

After a large amount of aldosterone was injected into a male rabbit, urine was collected for 48 h. Separation of urinary aldosterone metabolites into monoglucosiduronate fraction and monosulphate fraction was carried out by a combination of countercurrent distribution and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. Each fraction was hydrolyzed with enzyme and free steroids released were separated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The free steroid was then identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In monoglucosiduronate fraction, 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone and 3 beta, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone were found. On the other hand, 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone was the only aglycone detected in monosulphate fraction. These findings comfirmed results in the preceding paper, where the free steroid was characterized on the basis of the mobility of the steroid and its derivatives on paper chromatography.     

Identification of aldosterone metabolites formed by A6 cells

The A6 cell line of the toad kidney is well known to form an Na+ transporting tight epithelium in culture and is often used as an experimental model for Na+ transport systems. Although it has been shown that A6 cells can convert aldosterone to polar metabolites, these metabolites have not been identified. Therefore, in this study, we tried to identify the metabolites of aldosterone formed by A6 cells in culture. A6 cells at confluence were incubated with serum-free culture media containing [3H]aldosterone. When radioactive compounds in incubation media were separated by reversed phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), four fractions (fractions A-D) were obtained. Fraction A, a mixture of two components, comprised the majority of metabolites formed. The more polar material (fraction A-1) and the less polar material (fraction A-2) of fraction A contained 47-71 and 9-19% of total radioactivity, respectively. When incubated in cell-free media, fraction A-2 was found to be unstable and partially converted to fraction A-1. Fraction B, 0.7-1.5% of total radioactivity, and fraction C, 8-21% of total radioactivity, cochromatographed with iso-aldosterone and D-aldosterone, respectively. Fraction D, 4-8% of total radioactivity, was a mixture of two components, which cochromatographed with 3 beta,5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone and 5 alpha-dihydroaldosterone, respectively. In order to identify fraction A-2 material, large-scale cultures were performed and fraction A-2 was separated and purified by reversed phase HPLC. The purified material was analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These two procedures unambiguously revealed that this material was 6 beta-hydroxyaldosterone. These results demonstrate that aldosterone can be converted to at least four metabolites by the incubation with A6 cells, and that major metabolites are polar compounds, a portion of which is 6 beta-hydroxyaldosterone.     

Analysis of urinary aldosterone metabolites in the guinea-pig

Analysis of urinary metabolites of [1, 2-3H]-aldosterone was performed in the male guinea-pig. Separation of urinary metabolites was carried out by countercurrent distribution followed by DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. A major component was obtained which was both hydrolyzable with sulphatase from Helix pomatia and solvolyzable. Paper chromatography of freed steroids revealed the presence of at least two components and the major aglycone cochromatographed with 3 beta, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone. In order to get more information about the structure of urinary metabolites, a total of 68 mg of aldosterone was injected into three male guinea-pigs and separation of urinary metabolites was performed in a similar manner. A major component obtained showed the color reaction positive for sulphate (modified rhodizonic acid test) and negative for glucosiduronate (naphthoresorcinol test). Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of aglycones released from this conjugate revealed the presence of 3 beta, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone and an another aglycone, tentatively identified as 21-deoxy-tetrahydroaldosterone. Taken together, it was concluded that 3 beta, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone-monosulphate and 21-deoxy-tetrahydroaldosterone-monosulphate comprised most of urinary conjugated metabolites of aldosterone in the male guinea-pig.     

Inhibitors of sterol synthesis. Chromatography of acetate derivatives of oxygenated sterols

The separation of the acetate derivatives of a number of oxygenated sterols was achieved by medium pressure liquid chromatography on silica gel columns and by normal and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. We have explored the application of these chromatographic systems for the analysis of oxygenated sterols of plasma samples from two normal human subjects. The addition of highly purified [14C]cholesterol to plasma permitted the detection and quantitation of oxygenated sterols formed by autoxidation of cholesterol during processing of the samples. Special attempts to suppress autoxidation of cholesterol included the use of an all-glass closed system for saponification and extraction under argon followed by rapid removal of cholesterol from the polar sterols by reversed phase medium pressure liquid chromatography. Chromatographic analyses of the [3H]acetate derivatives of the polar sterols provided a sensitive approach for the detection and quantitation of the individual oxygenated sterols. Oxygenated sterols detected in plasma included cholest-5-ene-3 beta,26-diol, (24S)-cholest-5-ene-3 beta,24-diol, and cholest-5-ene-3 beta,7 alpha-diol. After correction for their formation by autoxidation of cholesterol during processing of the samples, very little or none of the following sterols were observed: cholest-5-ene-3 beta,7 beta-diol, 5 alpha,6 alpha-epoxy-cholestan-3 beta-ol, 5 beta,6 beta-epoxy-cholestan-3 beta-ol, and cholestane- 3 beta, 5 alpha,6 beta-triol, and the 25-hydroxy, 22R-hydroxy, 21-hydroxy, 20 alpha-hydroxy, and 19-hydroxy derivatives of cholesterol.     

The effects of infusions of ring-A-reduced derivatives of aldosterone on the antinatriuretic and kaliuretic actions of aldosterone

Infusion of Ring-A-reduced metabolites of aldosterone in adrenalectomized male rats for 4 days revealed that 5 alpha-Ring-A-reduced derivatives, 5 alpha-dihydroaldosterone (5 alpha-DHAldo; 2.5-5.0 micrograms/day), 3 alpha,5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone (3 alpha,5 alpha-THAldo; 5-25 micrograms/day), and 3 beta,5 alpha-THAldo (50-175 micrograms/day) possessed intrinsic Na+-retaining activity. The same infusions of 5 alpha-DHAldo, 3 alpha,5 alpha-THAldo, and 3 beta,5 alpha-THAldo, also lowered the urinary excretion of potassium. The 5 beta-Ring-A-reduced derivative 3 alpha,5 beta-THAldo did not demonstrate either of these biological properties. In another set of experiments, on the fourth day of infusion, aldosterone (0.1 microgram/rat) was administered acutely subcutaneously; none of the Ring-A-reduced derivatives altered the Na+-retaining activity of aldosterone. However, in a dose-dependent manner, both 3 alpha,5 alpha-THAldo and 3 beta,5 alpha-THAldo blunted the urinary K+-secretory effect of aldosterone; low dosages of 5 alpha-DHAldo and larger dosages of 3 alpha,5 beta-THAldo did not. Thus, the 5 alpha-reduced derivatives of aldosterone not only lowered urinary Na+ and K+ excretion in their own right, but two of them blunted the kaliuretic response of the parent mineralocorticoid, aldosterone. Further experiments will be required to determine whether these aldosterone metabolites are further metabolized or interconverted during the expression of the regulatory properties described here and whether these properties are physiologically relevant.     

Metabolism of prostaglandins D2 and F2 alpha in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

3H-Labeled prostaglandins D2 and F2 alpha rapidly degraded to more-polar metabolites in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The metabolites of prostaglandins D2 and F2 alpha accumulated in the culture medium. The metabolites extracted by ethyl acetate at pH 3 were purified by silicic acid column and thin-layer chromatography of silica gel, and were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major metabolites from prostaglandin D2 were identified as dinor-prostaglandin D1 (7 alpha,13-dihydroxy-9-ketodinorprost-11-enoic acid) and tetranor-prostaglandin D1 (5 alpha,11- dihydroxy-7-ketotetranorprost-9-enoic acid). Those from prostaglandin F2 alpha were identified as dinor-prostaglandin F1 alpha (7 alpha,9 alpha,13-trihydroxydinorprost-11-enoic acid), tetranor-prostaglandin F1 alpha (5 alpha,7 alpha,11-trihydroxytetranorprost-9-enoic acid) and 9 alpha,11 alpha,15-trihydroxyprost-13-ene-1,20-dioic acid. These data indicate that prostaglandins D2 and F2 alpha mainly degraded by beta-oxidation, which is the same process as reported earlier for prostaglandins E1 and E2, and that prostaglandin F2 alpha was also subjected to omega-oxidation.     

Metabolism of lithocholic acid in the rat: formation of lithocholic acid 3-O-glucuronide in vivo

Milligram amounts of [3 beta-3H]lithocholic (3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic) acid were administered by intravenous infusion to rats prepared with a biliary fistula. Analysis of sequential bile samples by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) demonstrated that lithocholic acid glucuronide was present in bile throughout the course of the experiments and that its secretion rate paralleled that of total isotope secretion. Initial confirmation of the identity of this metabolite was obtained by the recovery of labeled lithocholic acid after beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis of bile samples. For detailed analysis of biliary metabolites of [3H]lithocholic acid, pooled bile samples from infused rats were subjected to reversed-phase chromatography and four major labeled peaks were isolated. After complete deconjugation, the two major compounds in the combined first two peaks were identified as murideoxycholic (3 alpha, 6 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic) and beta-muricholic (3 alpha, 6 beta, 7 beta-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic) acids and the third peak was identified as taurolithocholic acid. The major component of the fourth peak, after isolation, derivatization (to the methyl ester acetate), and purification by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), was positively identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance as lithocholic acid 3 alpha-O-(beta-D-glucuronide). These studies have shown, for the first time, that lithocholic acid glucuronide is a product of in vivo hepatic metabolism of lithocholic acid in the rat.     

Metabolic profiles of endogenous and ethynyl steroids in plasma and urine from women during administration of oral contraceptives

Conjugated ethynyl and endogenous steroids in plasma and urine from two women taking an oral contraceptive (Conlumin) containing 1 mg norethindrone and 50 micrograms mestranol have been analyzed by methods based on anion and ligand exchange chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Conjugated norethindrone and its reduced metabolites with 3 alpha,5 alpha, 3 alpha,5 beta, 3 beta,5 beta and 3 beta,5 alpha configurations were identified in the fluids. The quantitatively major metabolites in plasma were a disulphate of the 3 alpha,5 alpha isomer and a monosulphate of the 3 alpha,5 beta isomer. The renal clearance of the former compound was low. The major urinary metabolite of norethindrone was the 3 alpha,5 beta isomer conjugated with glucuronic or sulphuric acid. Disulphates constituted only a small portion of urinary ethynyl steroids. Metabolic profiles of endogenous neutral steroids in plasma and urine during the contraceptive cycle were compared with profiles during a physiological menstrual cycle. The concentrations of steroids in plasma during contraception were similar to those during the follicular and mid phases of the menstrual cycle, whereas levels of progesterone metabolites were higher in the luteal phase. The urinary excretion of steroids was 15-30% lower during the contraceptive cycle, due to a decrease in excretion of C21O5 steroids, 11-oxygenated androgens and etiocholanolone. The increase of urinary progesterone metabolites seen during the luteal phase was not observed during contraception, but the excretion of 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,20 alpha-diol glucuronide was higher than during the follicular and mid phases of the menstrual cycle.     

Structural identification of methyl protodioscin metabolites in rats' urine and their antiproliferative activities against human tumor cell lines

Methyl protodioscin (MPD), a furostanol saponin, is a preclinical drug shown potent antiproliferative activities against most cell lines from leukemia and solid tumors. The metabolites of MPD in rats' urine after single oral doses of 80 mg/kg were investigated in this research. Ten metabolites were isolated and purified by liquid-liquid extraction, open-column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structural identification of the metabolites was carried out by high resolution mass spectra, NMR spectroscopic methods including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and 2D NMR, as well as chemical ways. The 10 metabolites were elucidated to be dioscin (M-1), pregna-5,16-dien-3beta-ol-20-one-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-d-glucopyranoside (M-2), diosgenin (M-3), protobioside (M-4), methyl protobioside (M-5), 26-O-beta-d-glucopyrannosyl(25R)-furan-5-ene-3beta, 22alpha, 26-trihydroxy-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-d-glucopyranoside(M-6),26-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(25R)-furan-5-ene-3beta,26-dihydroxy-22-methoxy-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (M-7), prosapogenin A of dioscin (M-8), prosapogenin B of dioscin (M-9), and diosgenin-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (M-10), respectively. M-1 was the main urinary metabolite of MPD in rats. Some metabolites showed potent antiproliferative activities against HepG2, NCI-H460, MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines in vitro.     

Metabolism of arachidonic acid in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Structural analysis of novel hydroxylated compounds.

Arachidonic acid was incubated with rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (glycogen-induced) and compounds obtained from ether extractions were fractionated by silicic acid column chromatography. A fraction containing several unidentified metabolites of arachidonic acid was analyzed by reversed phase-high pressure liquid chromatography. The metabolites were esterified and further purified by silicic acid high pressure liquid chromatography. The structures of the pure compounds were elucidated by infrared and ultraviolet spectrometry, ozonolysis, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The following novel compounds were identified: Compound 1, 5S, 12R-dihydroxy-(E,E,E,Z)-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid; Compound 2, 5S, 12S-dihydroxy-(E,E,E,Z)-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid; Compound 3, 5, 6-dihydroxy-7,9,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid; Compound 4, a diastereoisomer of the latter. Evidence for the occurrence of the delta-lactone forms of the 5,12-dihydroxy acids is also presented.     

Further characterization of urinary aldosterone metabolities in the rabbit by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

After the subcutaneous injection of a large amount of aldosterone into a male rabbit, urine was collected for 24 h. The preliminary separation of urinary aldosterone metabolites was carried out by means of DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. Each fraction obtained was further purified by reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Purified materials were then analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. Thus, tetrahydroaldosterone glucuronide and tetrahydroaldosterone sulfate were detected as urinary aldosterone metabolites. These results confirmed our previously published data, where the nature of conjugating groups was determined indirectly. Furthermore, hydroxyaldosterone was identified as a urinary aldosterone metabolite.     

Swainsonine-induced oligosaccharide excretion in sheep. Time-dependent changes in the oligosaccharide profile.

Urinary oligosaccharides isolated from locoweed-intoxicated sheep were separated and quantified by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography of the perbenzoylated alditols. Mannose-containing oligosaccharides were elevated as early as day 3 of feeding, but maximum levels (approx. 1 mumol/ml) were not attained until after 6 weeks of feeding. The relative abundance of individual oligosaccharides changed over the course of the feeding period. Man3GlcNAc2 reached a peak on day 3 and then rapidly declined. Two isomers were shown to be present in this fraction and the relative proportions altered with the duration of locoweed treatment. The major isomer present at early time points (less than 8 days) co-eluted with synthetic Man(alpha 1-3)[Man(alpha 1-6)]Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-4)GlcNAc, was digested by endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase D, and is probably derived from the trimannosyl core of complex glycoproteins synthesized prior to locoweed treatment. Man3GlcNAc2 isolated from day 53 urine was resistant to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase D digestion but was cleaved by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H. This isomer has the probable structure Man(alpha 1-3)Man(alpha 1-6)Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-4)GlcNAc, indicative of its origin from hybrid or high-mannose glycoproteins. Man5GlcNAc2 reached a peak on day 13 and then slowly declined, whereas Man4GlcNAc2 increased concomitantly. The rapid increase in Man5GlcNAc2 can probably be attributed to the breakdown of hybrid glycans produced as a result of swainsonine inhibition of Golgi alpha-D-mannosidase II. The onset of observable clinical signs on day 38 closely correlated with the time point at which the level of Man4GlcNAc2 exceeded Man5GlcNAc2. After locoweed feeding was discontinued, the amount of urinary oligosaccharides declined rapidly and reached baseline levels within 12 days.     

Identification of metabolites of methylprednisolone in equine urine

Methylprednisolone and three metabolites, 17,21-dihydroxy-6 alpha-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione, 6 alpha-methyl-17,20 beta,21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11-dione, and 6 alpha-methyl-11 beta,17,20 beta,21-tetrahydroxy-1,4-pregnadien-3-one were detected in equine urine after intraarticular administration of methylprednisolone acetate. All four compounds were excreted both in the unconjugated form and as glucuronic acid conjugates. They were identified by comparing data obtained from analyses by high performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to those of the synthesized standards. The presence of trace amounts of a fourth metabolite, 6 alpha-methyl-11 beta,17,20 alpha,21-tetrahydroxy-1,4-pregnadien-3-one, was indicated by high performance liquid chromatography but confirmation has not been attained by the other methods.     

Sterols from the fungus Lactarium volemus

Seven ergostane-type sterols and two mono-glucosides were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Lactarium rolemus. Three are previously unknown, i.e. 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22E,24R-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22E,24R-5beta,8beta-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene and 22E,24R-ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta,5alpha,6beta,9alpha-tetraol. The structural elucidation of these compounds was mainly achieved by spectroscopic methods.     

Detoxification of lithocholic acid. Elucidation of the pathways of oxidative metabolism in rat liver microsomes

The hydroxylation of lithocholic acid (3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid) by adult male Sprague-Dawley rat liver microsomes supplemented with NADPH was studied. Metabolites were separated by a combination of thin-layer chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography, both with and without prior methylation and acetylation of the samples. The resulting products were characterized by thin-layer, gas-liquid, and high pressure liquid chromatography by comparison with authentic bile acid standards; final structure determination was by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by mass spectrometry. The following reaction products were found: 3 alpha, 6 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid (80% of total metabolites) and 3 alpha, 6 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic, 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic, 3 alpha, 6 beta,7 beta-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic, and 3 alpha-hydroxy-6-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acids (less than or equal to 5% each). In addition, one unidentified trihydroxylic bile acid and several minor compounds were present. It is concluded that four different hydroxylation reactions of lithocholic acid, namely the predominant 6 beta as well as the minor 6 alpha, 7 alpha, and 7 beta hydroxylations, are catalyzed by rat hepatic microsomes; 7 beta-hydroxylation may occur only with dihydroxylated bile acids but not with lithocholate itself. The presence of the 6-oxo bile acid can be explained either by direct oxidation of a hydroxyl group by cytochrome P-450, or by the action of microsomal dehydrogenase(s) which could also catalyze the epimerization of hydroxyl groups via their oxidation. The results form the basis of a proposed scheme of the oxidative metabolism of lithocholic acid in rat liver microsomes.     

Urinary excretion of 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol in human gestation

The steroids in urine from normal pregnant women have been studied. After extraction of conjugate steroids, solvolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis, the liberated steroids were separated by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, and were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The following steroids were isolated and completely identified in the LH-20 fraction 7: 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha-diol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17,20alpha-triol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol and 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,16alpha,20alpha-triol. In addition, two metabolites tentatively identified as 5xi-pregnane-2xi,3xi,20xi-triol and 2xi,3xi,16xi-trihydroxy-5xi-pregnan-20-one, have not been reported as occcurring in urine from pregnant women. The 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol was detected only in the third trimester of pregnancy and the urinary excretion values are between 320 and 650 microgram per 24 h. With the present data, it is not possible to establish the precursor(s) of this steroid. However, these results tentatively suggest that 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol arises from foeto-placental unit.     

Metabolism of cholestane-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol. II. Identification of two major neutral metabolites in the rat

Rats were given a single oral dose of cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol-4-(14)C, and their feces were collected. The two major neutral metabolites were separated and isolated by use of solvent fractionation and chromatographic methods. The metabolites were identified as cholestane-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one and a mixture of long-chain fatty acid esters of cholestane-3beta,5alpha,-6beta-triol. Cholestane-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one was identified using thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and the spectrum produced by reaction with 65% sulfuric acid. The mixed esters of cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol were subjected to basic hydrolysis, and the steroid moiety was identified using the same techniques employed for cholestane-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one. The fatty acids were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography of their methyl esters.     

Testosterone metabolites in dog bile

Testosterone-1,2-3H was injected intravenously into a male dog with a bile fistula and bile and urine collected. The radioactivity was excreted preponderantly in bile (52% of the injected dose) in 6 hours; only 12% appeared in the urine. Methods to study the biliary metabolites of testosterone in this and other animals were developed. Satisfactory conjugate patterns were obtained by fractionation on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 columns using two different elution systems. In addition to an unchanged fraction, six different monoglucuronide fractions were separated. No other conjugates were isolated. Lipidex 5000 column chromatography, TLC and paper chromatography were used for the isolation and purification of aglycone metabolites, which were further identified by co-crystallization methods. The biliary metabolites of testosterone were epiandrosterone (3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one), etiocholanlone (3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one), 5alpha-androstan-3beta, 17beta-diol, 5beta-androstan-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5beta-androstan-3beta,17beta-diol.     

Determination of progesterone and some of its neuroactive ring A-reduced metabolites in human serum

A method for the separation and assay of some ring A-reduced metabolites of progesterone (pregnanediones and pregnanolones) is described. Serum was extracted with an organic solvent, and the extract chromatographed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 50 fractions was collected for each sample and split using a stream splitter so that 30% was collected in counting vials for recovery while 70% was collected in test tubes which were assayed by radioimmunoassay. An antiserum raised in our laboratory to progesterone-3-CMO-BSA cross-reacted with five of these compounds (5alpha- and 5beta-dihydroprogesterone, 3alpha- and 3beta-5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone, and 3beta, 5beta-tetrahydroprogesterone). Since pregnenolone eluted with 5alpha, 3beta-tetrahydroprogesterone, pregnenolone was assayed separately and its effect subtracted. Using this method it was shown that picogram to nanogram/ml amounts of these metabolites are present in all human sera. Levels in men were comparable to those of women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. 5alpha-Dihydroprogesterone and 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone rose substantially in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and all rose considerably during pregnancy.