Chemical synthesis of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha, 24, 25-tetrol and its metabolism in the perfused rabbit liver

5beta-G-3H]Cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha, 24xi, 25-tetrol (IV) was synthesized via dehydration and peroxidation of 5beta-G-3H]cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha, 25-triol. Following perfusion of the labeled compound in the isolated rabbit liver, the bile alcohol and bile acid metabolites secreted into the bile were identified by a combination of thin layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The following bile alcohols were tentatively identified: 5beta-cholest-23-ene-3alpha, 7alpha, 25-triol, 5beta-cholest-25-ene-3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha, 24xi-tetrol, and 5beta-cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha, 24xi, 25-pentol. The amount of administered tetrol recovered unchanged ranged from 1 to 88%. Cholic acid was the major product, but limited amounts of chemodeoxycholic acid were also formed. The 24-hydroxyl group in the steroid side chain did not prevent 12alpha-hydroxylation.