METABOLIC CHANGES IN ESTROGEN INDUCED BY RAT ORGANS1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Rat liver, kidney, and heart were perfused in vitro with 200 [gamma] to 4,000 [gamma] of various crystalline estrogens. The liver converts a-estradiol to a ketonic estrogen ("estrone") and to a strongly acidic phenol ("estra-diol"); estrone is converted to a weak non-ketonic phenol ("estradiol") and to "estriol." In all cases conversion preceded inactivation. No conversion of crystalline estriol was found. Kidney perfusions showed conversion from [alpha]-estradiol to "estrone," but no definite evidence of conversion to "estriol." Rat heart had no activity whatsoever on the added [alpha]-estradiol. A definite relationship was found between the type of organ perfused, the nature and amt. of the added estrogen and time of perfusion: The liver metabolizes estrogens more rapidly than the kidney, estradiol being affected sooner than estrone, which is more rapidly metabolized than estriol. No esterification was found. The endogenous estrogens seem to be more resistant to inactivation than the crystalline ones since a 3-hr. liver perfusion will inactivate 15-100 times more of the latter than of the former. The series of conversions occurring are indicated in the formula [image].