MECHANISM OF SERUM CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING ACTION OF AN ANABOLIC STEROID IN CONTRAST TO A GLUCORTICOID

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Mechanism (s) of the hypocholesteremic action of an anabolic steroid, 2-hydroxymethylene-17α-methyldihydrotesterone (HMD) were investigated in contrast to those of the hypercholesteremic effect of a glucocorticoid, cortisone. HMD or cortisone increased the in vivo incorporation of acetate-1-¹⁴C into rat liver cholesterol 15 mins. after ¹⁴C injection (increased cholesterol biosynthesis) and decreased the incorporation 4 hrs. after ¹⁴C injection (increased cholesterol degradation and excretion by the liver). Almost the same results were observed in the intestine. HMD or cortisone also increased the biliary excretion of total ¹⁴C and bile acids-¹⁴C after intraperitoneal injection of cholesterol-4-¹⁴C. The fecal excretion of total ¹⁴C and bile acids-¹⁴C after cholesterol-4-¹⁴C injection was increased by HMD, on the contrary slightly decreased by cortisone. The gastrointestinal absorption of cholesterol-4-¹⁴C or cholic acid-4-¹⁴C was accelerated by cortisone, while almost no effect was observed by HMD.