| Abstract: | The in vitro metabolism of all-trans-11,12-3h]retinoic acid to several more polar compounds has been demonstrated in a hamster tracheal organ culture system. The production of these metabolites is dependent on the presence of tissue. The physiological significance of these compounds is shown by the cochromatography of several of the in vitro formed metabolites synthesized from carboxy-14C]retinoic acid with metabolites isolated from the intestine and urine of hamsters previously injected with 0.1 to 1.5 microgram of 3H]retinoic acid. One of the metabolites shows about one-tenth the biological activity of all-trans-retinoic acid when tested in a hamster tracheal organ culture assay. This biologically active metabolite is converted by the hamster trachea in vitro to a biologically inactive metabolite. |
