2Alpha, 3alpha-epithio-5alpha-androstan-17beta-YL 1-methoxycyclopentyl ether (10364-S), a new orally active anti-estrogenic steroid

Analysis of non-ketoic steroids 17alpha-methylepithiostanol and desoxymethyl- testosterone in dietary supplements

Dietary supplements containing 17alpha-methyl-2,3-epithio-5alpha-androstane-17beta-ol (17alpha-methylepithiostanol), which is a 17-methylated analogue of epithiostanol or a prodrug of desoxymethyltestosterone (17alpha-methyl-5alpha-androst-2-en-17beta-ol), have recently appeared on the Internet. 17alpha-Methylepithiostanol and desoxymethyltestosterone are classified as prohibited substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list. Two preparations, EPISTANE and P-PLEX, were obtained from the Internet so that their contents could be investigated. This study involved gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis after trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) mode and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Analysis using LC/MS in APPI mode would be a useful tool for detecting heat-labile and non-polar steroids.Although the labelling of EPISTANE indicates that it contains 17alpha-methyl-2alpha, 3alpha-epithio-5alpha-androstane-17beta-ol only, 17alpha-methyl-2beta,3beta-epithio-5alpha-androstane-17beta-ol and desoxymethyltestosterone were identified in the supplement. The results showed that P-PLEX contained desoxymethyltestosterone and its isomer 17alpha-methyl-5alpha-androst-3-en-17beta-ol. Urine samples can be screened after EPISTANE or P-PLEX administration using the normal screening procedure for anabolic steroids with GC/MS.

Absorption and disposition of epithiosteroids in rats (1): Route of administration and plasma levels of epitiostanol

1. Absorption and disposition of epitiostanol (EP) were determined following intramuscular (i.m.), intravenous (i.v.) and oral administration of 14C-epitiostanol (14C-EP) to rats. 2. When 14C-EP was administered orally, radioactivity was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and appeared in the systemic circulation, but no unchanged EP was detected in the plasma. EP was extensively metabolized by first-pass metabolism in the intestinal mucosa and liver, and because of the low biological activity when given orally, EP should be given by injection. 3. The EP plasma concentration/time curve following i.m. administration is analysed by a flip-flop model (ka less than kel), because the ka for EP remaining at the i.m. injection site was less than the kel for i.v. injection.