Abstract
Metabolic fate of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (I-S) was investigated in rabbits after its oral administration. I-S and androst-5-ene-3β, 17α-diol 3-monosulfate (II-S) were isolated from the urine as the major metabolite, demonstrating a predominant direct metabolism (without splitting of the ester linkage) and a selective 17α-hydroxylation. The plasma level of I-S and II-S reached maximum (3.1 and 26μg/ml) at 1 hr after oral administration of I-S (50 mg/kg). On the other hand, cumulative excretion of I-S and II-S in urine during 24 hr was 24 and 17 mg, respectively. Furthermore, II-S, androst-5-ene-3β, 17α-diol 3, 17-disulfate (II-D), androst-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol 3-monosulfate (III-S) and androst-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol 3, 17-disulfate (III-D) were each administered orally to clarify the direct metabolism of I-S. It was found that I-S and II-S were easily interconverted in rabbits.
