| Abstract: | In vitro studies of PG (prostaglandin) metabolism have shown that they can be transformed by oxidation of the allylic alcohol group at C-15 catalyzed by a PG-specific dehydrogenase. This report describes isolation and chemical studies of several metabolites of PGF2alpha in female subjects. Chromatography, assay of radioactivity, infrared spectrometry, oxidative ozonolysis, reduction with lithium aluminum hydride and sodium borohydride, and solvents were used to analyze the metabolites. Chromatography graphs, chemical diagrams of the metabolite structures, and mass spectrum graphs present the study data. PGF2alpha is transformed into a variety of compounds in man. The stereochemical features of the metabolites have not been rigorously determined. In fact, the metabolic pathways discussed must be considered tentative. The work does provide a chemical background for more detailed studies of the sequences of the transformations and the properties of the enzymes involved. The study elucidated the structures of 5 previously unrecognized metabolites. |
