Metabolism of llβ-Hydroxy-Δ4-androstene-3,17-dione: Effect of Thyroid Hormone

Abstract

The metabolic fate of 11[BETA]-hydroxy-[DELTA]4-androstene-3,17-dione has been studied in man under different levels of thyroid hormone. Several patients were studied at 2 levels of thyroid function. The metabolites derived in hyperthyroid subjects were qualitatively and quantitatively the same as those obtained in euthyroid subjects with 3[alpha],11[BETA]-dihydroxyandrostan-17-one as the principal product. Inhypothyroid subjects there wasadecrease in the production of 3[alpha],ll[BETA]-dihydroxy-5[alpha]-androstan-17-one with a concomitant rise in the formation of 3,ll[BETA]-dihydroxy-[DELTA]4-androsten-17-ones. The amounts of the 50-sterolds produced were essentially the same in euthyroid, hyperthyroid and myxedematous subjects. It was concluded that the 5[alpha]-reductase and [DELTA]4-3-hydroxysterold dehy-dorgenase associated with ll[BETA]-hydroxy-[DELTA]4-androstene-3,17-dione are responsive to low levels of thyroid hormone.