The determination of stereochemistry at C-5 of 3,6-dioxygenated steroids

Transformation of steroids by Bacillus strains isolated from the foregut of water beetles (Coleoptera:Dytiscidae): I. Metabolism of androst-4-en-3,17-dione (AD)

Two Bacillus strains were isolated from the foregut of the water beetle Agabus affinis (Payk.) and tested for their steroid transforming ability. After incubation with androst-4-en-3,17-dione (AD), 13 different transformation products were detected. AD was hydroxylated at C6, C7, C11 and C14, resulting in formation of 6beta-, 7alpha-, 11alpha- and 14alpha-hydroxy-AD. One strain also produced small amounts of 6beta,14alpha-dihydroxy-AD. Partly, the 6beta-hydroxy group was further oxidized to the corresponding 6-oxo steroids. In addition, a specific reduction of the delta4-double bond was observed, leading to the formation of 5alpha-androstane derivatives. In minor yields the carbonyl functions at C3 and C17 were reduced leading to the formation of 3zeta-OH or 17beta-OH steroids. EI mass spectra of the trimethylsilyl and O-methyloxime trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of some transformation products are presented for the first time.

Evidence of formation of isomeric methoximes from 20-oxosteroids

The formation and gas chromatographic behavior of syn- and anti-isomers in position 20 of the methoxime-trimethylsilyl (MO-TMS) derivatives of many 20-oxo and 3,20-dioxo-21-hydroxysteroids is reported. The existence of such isomers was established from the gas chromatographic (GC) and mass spectrometric analysis of the MO-TMS derivatives of 3 alpha,21-dihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one and its 17 alpha-epimer. The degree of separation during GC analysis of the syn- and anti-isomers in position 20, as well as those in position 3, is associated to the position of additional hydroxyl groups on the steroid ring. These data are very important for the location of oxygenated substituents such as 2 alpha/2 beta, 6 alpha/6 beta, 11 beta, 16 alpha, 17 alpha, 18, 19 or 21-hydroxyl groups during structural studies of 20-oxo and 3,20-dioxosteroids.

Synthesis and 13C-NMR analysis of 5 alpha- and 5 beta-cholestane-3,6-dione

Starting from cholesterol a simple and efficient synthesis of 5 alpha-cholestane-3,6-dione and 5 beta-cholestane-3,6-dione is described. The 13C shielding data of C-7, C-9, and C-19 in both isomers can be used in the determination of the stereochemistry at C-5 of these compounds. The combination of 13C NMR spectroscopy and the simple synthesis of both isomers offers good opportunities for the determination of the stereochemistry at C-5 of 3,6-dioxosteroids.

Characterization of metabolites in domestic sow urine after intravenous administration of radioactive estrogen and corticosteroids

We measured distribution of radioactivity among urinary metabolites excreted in nonpregnant and ovariectomized sows after intravenous injection of radionuclides (14carbon) labeled estrone, estradiol-17beta, cortisol, and corticosterone. Treatment with an enzyme preparation (Glusulase) containing both beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase activity, rendered extractable over 95% of the radioactivity recovered from urine with diethyl ether (estrogens) and ethyl acetate (corticoids). Only an additional 1 to 4% of the radioactivity was extracted following solvolysis of the aqueous residue remaining after enzyme hydrolysis and extraction. Radioactivity in nonpregnant sow urine was predominantly in the estrone fraction following injection of either estrone or estradiol-17beta. Moreover, the principal metabolite was estrone monoglucuronide. Only traces of estradiol-17beta and an estriol-like compound were detected. Two other isolates contained radioactivity. One compound probably was 2-methoxyestrone, but structure of the other compound (X1) could not be established. The principal urinary metabolites from injection of cortisol corresponded to chromatographic properties of tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone. Both metabolites were low in urine following injection of corticosterone. The major urinary metabolites from corticosterone injection corresponded to chromatographic properties of tetrahydrocorticosterone and corticosterone. Considerable radioactivity from injection of both corticoids was isolated in the cortol, cortolone, and 11-ketoetiocholanolone - 11beta-hydroxyetiocholanolone areas of chromatograms. The data for corticoids agree with similar data for the human being and cow.