Jorge R. Pasqualini

Role of 21-hydroxypregnenolone and of 17α-, 21-dihydroxypregnenolone in the biogenesis of C21 and C19 steroids by adrenal gland slices

Abstract The transformation of 21-hydroxypregnenolone by human hyperplastic adrenal gland slices was studied in vitro ; conversions into cortexone and corticosterone of 44% and 12% respectively, were found. The transformation of 17α, 21-dihydroxypregnenolone was studied with the same tissue, and conversions into cortexolone and cortisol of 9.6% and 7.5% respectively, were found. 17α, 21-dihydroxypregnenolone was also transformed into two 17-ketosteroids, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione; the percentage of conversion was relatively significant for dehydroepiandrosterone. By incubation with rat and rabbi adrenal gland slices, 21-hydroxypregnenolone-3H-21 was transformed into cortexone-3H-21, corticosterone-3H-21 and 6ξ-hydroxycortexone-3H-21. Pregnenolone-3H-16 w was also transformed into 21-hydroxypregnenolone-3H-16 by incubation with rat and rabbit adrenal gland slices.

Contribution to the study of the structure of the aldosterone-conjugate isolated from human urine

Abstract The aldosterone-conjugate was isolated from human urine after administration of d -aldosterone and d -[1,2- 3 H 2 ]aldosterone. This conjugate gave a positive Tollens reaction, and on the chromatogram gave a positive blue tetrazolium reaction, an absorption at 254 mμ and a yellow fluorescence. Glucuronic acid was detected by paper chromatography, and quantitative analysis indicated one molecule of glucuronic acid to one molecule of aldosterone. Electrophoretic migration gave proof that the carboxylic function of glucuronic acid was free. The conjugate was not hydrolyzed by β-glucuronidase (bacterial or hepatic) but in acid at pH 1 and in the presence of enzymes of the soccus entericus of Helix pomatia hydrolysis took place. From this data, a provisional structure of a C 18 -glucuronide can be suggested for the isolated conjugate.

Isolement dans les urines humaines d'une substance formaldehydogène, Δ4-3-cétonique, et donnant une lactone par oxydation

Abstract After administration of adrenocorticotropin to a man, a formaldehydogenic substance, having a Δ 4 -3-keto group and showing similarities with aldosterone was found in the urines. Its output was 100–200 μg ‰ as compared to traces in basal urines. One of its main properties was to produce a lactone after oxidation. Its chromatographic migration was compared in five different systems and in two others after oxidation or acetylation. This substance was probably a tetra-oxygenated steroid, and several hypothesis are set forth for its structure.

Identification des corticostéroïdes dans les urines d'un sujet atteint d'une tumeur féminisante des corticosurrénales

Abstract Fourteen steroids were identified and estimated from the urine of a patient with a feminizing adrenocortical tumor. An important amount of two other steroids (X 1 and X 2 ) was also found. The THF/THE ratio was increased. In this patient, no metabolite with an α-ketol-5α-pregnane structure could be detected.