Rectal Absorption of 6-Alpha-C14-H3-Prednisolone.

Abstract
Measurement of radioactivity of different voided urine specimens for 48 hours following the instillation of 6-alpha-C14 -H3-prednisolone into the rectum of 1 normal male, 1 male with ulcerative colitis receiving no therapy, 1 male with ulcerative colitis receiving 40 mg of prednisone daily and 1 male receiving 40 units of ACTH gel and 100 mg of prednisolone daily demonstrated that one-half of the radioactivity absorbed was excreted in the urine in less than 6 hours. The Kappas Method of extracting urinary corticosteroids demonstrated that the major portion of the radioactivity was found within the water soluble portion of the steroid metabolities. Sufficient 6-methyl-prednisolone dissolved in alcohol is absorbed through the rectal mucosa in normal individuals and in patients with ulcerative colitis to have a systemic effect.