DER UMSATZ VON DEHYDROISOANDROSTERON IN DER HUNDELEBER

Abstract

The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone when perfused through the isolated dog liver has been studied. The experimental technique for the perfusion and the extraction and isolation procedures are described. The level of malic acid dehydrogenase was found to be a good index of the functional capacity of the liver. The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone follows two distinct pathways one leading to sulfate conjugation the other to changes in the steroid nucleus. In our experiments it was found that both reactions yielded approximately equivalent amounts of break-down products. No phosphate or glucuronide conjugates could be demonstrated. Six metabolites of dehydroepiandrosterone were isolated four of which were identified chemically (3[beta]-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one, 3[beta], 17[beta](?)-dihydroxy-androst-5-ene, 17[beta]-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one, and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione). The results obtained are briefly discussed.