Edward L. Rongone

In vivo metabolism of Δ1, 17α-methyltestosterone in man

Summary Δ 1 ,6β-hydroxy-17α-methyltestosterone was isolated from the urine of a patient after administration of Δ 1 ,17α-methyltestosterone. Another metabolite, in which ring A appears not to have been metabolized, was isolated but not as yet finally identified.

Effect of substituting groups on the reduction of the Δ4 bond of steroids

Abstract We have previously reported that bovine blood albumin contains an enzyme system which is capable of reducing the 4–5 double bond of several biologically active steroids in the presence of a TPNH-generating system. One hundred micrograms of steroid at pH 6.4 is incubated with 5% bovine blood albumin under nitrogen for 24 hr. The steroid is extracted from the incubation medium by solvents. The 4–5 double bond of androst-4-ene-3β,17β-diol was not reduced by the enzyme system, suggesting the requirement of a ketone or α-hydroxyl at carbon 3 for the reduction. When androst-4-ene-17β-ol, androst-4-ene-3α, 17β-diol and 2α-fluoro-androst-4-ene-3α, 17β-diol were incubated, the 4–5 double bond was not reduced. Incubation of their corresponding 3-keto derivatives resulted in complete reduction of the 4–5 double bond. Androst-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol, 3β-hydroxy-pregn-5-ene-20-one, 3β-hydroxy-androst-5-ene-17-one, and their corresponding 3-keto derivatives were not reduced by the enzyme system. Thus the enzyme system appears to be highly specific in that a 3-ketone is required and the 4–5 double bond is reduced while the 5–6 is not. The 5β orientation is always produced. Chromatography of the extremely crude enzyme preparation on a cabunite column resulted in a 240-fold purification. Paper electrophoresis of the enzyme resulted in only one peak which migrated similar to γ-globulins.

Method for Determination of 17,21-Dihydroxy-20-Ketosteroids in Urine and Plasma.

Summary A simple, accurate method for determination of the 17,21-dihydroxy-20-ketosteroids in plasma and urine has been described. The chloroform extract is dissolved in chloroform and chromatographed on silica gel in a 1 ml serologic pipette. The 17,21-dihydroxy-20-ketosteroids are eluted with ethanol-chloroform mixtures and assayed by a micro Porter-Silber procedure.