THE THERMOGENIC EFFECT AND METABOLIC FATE OF ETIOCHOLANOLONE IN MAN*

Abstract

The intramuscular administration in man of etiocholanolone (3α-hydrox-etiocholane-17-one), a metabolite of testicular and adrenocortical hormones, consistently provoked pyrogenic and inflammatory reactions. The thermogenic response following single injections of small amounts of this steroid was characterized by the development of high fever over a period of four to twelve hours, with equally rapid defervescence. Leukocytosis, local inflammatory reactions and a variety of transient constitutional symptoms were observed as well. The reaction is structurally specific and the pyrogenic response appears to be a direct effect of the molecule itself, since metabolic studies revealed that the steroid was excreted in large part unaltered and recovery of administered compound was high. The epimeric steroid, 3β-etiocholanolone was inert with respect to production of fever. The metabolic pattern was in contrast with that of etiocholanolone, in that there was significant transformation of the 3β to the 3α-hydroxy derivative, little unchanged steroid was excreted, and overall recovery of administered compound was low.