Renal clearance of 17-oxo steroid conjugates found in human peripheral plasma

Abstract

In 6 male subjects and 4 female subjects peripheral plasma was found to contain the following 17-oxo steroids conjugated as sulfate: 3[beta]-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one(dehydroepiandrosterone), 12-131 [mu]g/100 ml and 5-48 [mu]g/100 ml; androsterone, 1-43 [mu]g/100 ml and 1-27 [mu]g/100 ml. In 3 larger samples of plasma, androsterone glucuronide (1.5-2.1 [mu]g/100 ml) and 3[alpha]-hydroxy-5[beta]-androstan-17-one (etiocholanolone glucuronide; 1-2.5 [mu]g/100 ml) were found. Small amounts of 3[alpha]-hydroxy-5[beta]-androstane-ll:17-dione and 3[alpha]:11[beta]-dihydroxy-5[alpha]-androstan-17-one were present, each on one occasion, in the glucuronide fraction of these larger samples. Renal clearance values for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ranged from 0.5-6 ml/minute in ten out of eleven subjects. The corresponding values for androsterone sulfate were 1-12 ml/minute. Renal clearance values for androsterone and etiocholanolone glucuronide ranged from 113 to 117 ml/minute.