The secret of truffles: A steroidal pheromone?

Summary The steroid 5-androst-16-en-3-ol has a pronounced musk-like scent. It is a major constituent of the pheromone of the boar. It occurs also in axillary sweat of men but is devoid of androgenic activity. The presence of this steroid has been demonstrated in truffles (Tuber melanosporum) both by radioimmunoassay and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in quantities of 40–60 ng/g fresh material. This offers an explanation for the ability of pigs to detect truffles growing as deep as 1 m under ground.     

An investigation of the interaction between isoniazid and the contraceptive steroid norethindrone in vivo

Summary Isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) was shown to react readily with 17-ethinyl-17-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (norethindrone) to form the isonicotinyl hydrazone of the steroid under conditions likely to exist in the stomach. The hydrazone was detected in guinea-pig, but not rat, plasma following its oral administration. Rat liver tissue metabolized the compound more rapidly than guinea-pig liver in vitro which probably accounts for the failure to detect the hydrazone in rat plasma.     

Acidic metabolite of prednisolone

Summary The metabolic fate of the 17-ketol side chain of (21-³H) prednisolone was studied with an enzyme preparation from male golden hamster liver. The acidic metabolite of prednisolone was identified by mass spectrometry as 11, 17,20-trihydroxy-3-oxo-1,4-pregnadien-21-oic acid. The enzyme showed substrate specificity, depending on the nature of substituent on the steroid nucleus.This investigation was supported in part by USPHS Grant CA 2515.     

Der Einfluss sogenannter Ovulationshemmer auf die Esteraseaktivität des Endometriums

Summary Histochemical investigations were carried out in the endometrium of guinea-pigs after administration of Anovlar (4 mg ethinylnortestosterone-acetate and 0.05 mg ethynylestradiol). Histochemically a decrease of non-specific esterase activity was found in the endometrial as well as in the glandular epithelium after Anovlar treatment. The relationship of this enzyme to synthetic steroid hormones is briefly discussed.     

Hormonal induction of steroid sulphatase in the mouse

Summary By comparing steroid sulphatase levels per se, and also ratios to -galactosidase, in 6 sets of mice — normal females, entire and castrated males both with and without exogenous testosterone administration — we obtained support for the contention that induction of this enzyme is in part controlled by male hormones.     

Über die Ausscheidung von 3β-Hydroxy-17-Ketosteroiden im Harn von Meerschweinchen

Summary 11-hydroxy-epiandrosterone was isolated and identified from urine of normal untreated female guinea pigs. After cold and hot acid hydrolysis of the urine, we found another 3-hydroxy-17-oxosteroid. Its character was investigated by several methods and we suppose this steroid is9(11)-epiandrosterone, an artificial product of 11-hydroxy-epiandrosterone.     

In situ demonstration of the activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase on steroid hormone secreting cells within the paraaortic lymph nodes of golden hamster

Summary The in situ activity of 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was detected in clustered cells which showed steroid-producing morphology, within the capsule of the paraaortic lymph node. In light and electron microscopic studies, the positive reaction products were detected on intracapsular cell clusters. This result indicates that these unique cells may have a steroid secreting function within the lymph nodes.     

Effects of carmine and carminic acid on embryonic tissue cell cultures

Summary The biological reaction to carmine and carminic acid at cellular level on in vitro cultures was tested and significant variables were controlled. Results suggested that proliferation and metabolism of these cultures were not affected by the 2 stains.     

Die Wirkung einer Leberschädigung durch Thioacetamid auf die mikrosomale Aromatisierung von Testosteron bei der Ratte

Summary Rat liver microsomes, NADPH-regenerating system, and 1, 2-³H-testosterone have been incubated in vitro. The loss of tritium from the steroid, associated with aromatization of testosterone, was linear with time for 20 min and required NADPH. Pre-treatment of the rats with thioacetamide raised the liberation of tritium from 1, 2-³H-testosterone. The results suggest that liver damage by thioacetamide in rats may give rise to increased aromatization of testosterone.     

Beweis des Steringerüstes von Ouabagenin

Summary Ouabagenin (I) has been degraded stepwise to the known 3-methoxy-17-carbomethoxy-^1,3,5:10-estratriene (XII). Thus the presence of a normal steroid skeleton and the -configuration of the butenolidering at C-17 is proven. The 14-configuration of the hydroxyl at C-14 was also proven. As a result of these and earlier findings, structure I can be definitely assigned to ouabagenin.

---

---

Glykoside und Aglykone, 178. Mitteilung.     

17β-Estradiol-sensitivity of cultured myometrial cells

Summary The estrogen sensitivity of cells cultured from the rat myometrium was studied by growing the cells in the absence or presence of 1 nM 17-estradiol. Following a time lag of 10 days, exposure to estrogen resulted in increased incorporation of radiothymidine by the cells. Estrogen treatment also decreased isoproterenol-dependent and GTP-dependent adenylate cyclase activity, but had no effect on basal activity. These cultured cells have been shown previously to have some properties of uterine smooth muscle. The effects estrogen has in viyro, therefore, may reflect important properties in vivo that account for the mechanism by which the sex steroid decreases the sensitivity of the myometrium to isoproterenol.     

The inability of nuclear dehydrogenating clostridia to oxidize bile salt hydroxyl groups

Summary In a survey of the intracellular bile salt oxidoreductase activity in fecal bacteria, 16 strains of nuclear dehydrogenating clostridia and 2 strains of non-nuclear dehydrogenatingC. paraputrificum were demonstrated unable to oxidize cholate at any of the 3 OH groups. Since nuclear dehydrogenation at the -1 and -4 position requires a 3-oxo precursor steroid, it appears that these organisms require the presence of a 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenating organism for nuclear dehydrogenation.This work is supported by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (IAM) and by the Cancer Research Campaign (MJH).     

Physiological importance of ω-3/ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in man. An overview of still unresolved and controversial questions

Summary The essentiality of (-6) and (-3) fatty acids in mammals is well known. Nevertheless, some important points remain unclear concerning their implication in physiology. After a short discussion about the definition of essential fatty acids deficiency, this brief overview deals with some of these points, pointing out some of the unresolved questions. Different subjects are approached concerning the (-6) and (-3) fatty acids metabolism: desaturases, eicosanoids, production, as well as some of their metabolic effects on cell membranes, intestinal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, haemorheology.     

Cyclophosphamide-impaired regulation of hepatic heme metabolism

Summary Im male rats hepatic cytochromes b₅ and P-450 were reduced at different times after treatment with cyclophosphamide (CP) (200 mg/kg i.p. for 3 days). In contrast, microsomal heme did not change until 48 h after the last dose of CP, leading to accumulation of heme in a non-cytochromal form. Parallel to the above changes the heme metabolism showed derangement: -aminolaevulinate synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in heme synthesis, was depressed and heme oxygenase, the enzyme which catalyzes the oxidative degradation of heme, was increased.     

Isolement et identification du 5β-prégnane 11β, 17α, 21-triol 3, 20-dione (Dihydrocortisol) dans l'urine humaine

Summary 5-pregnane 11, 17, 21-triol 3, 20-dione (dihydrocortisol) has been isolated and identified in the urine of patients with feminizing adrenal cortical cancer. This steroid showed the same Rf as synthetic dihydrocortisol in six different chromatographic systems. After acetylation, its Rf was the same as that of 21 monoacetate of dihydrocortisol. After bismuthic or chromic oxydation, it had the same chromatographic Rf as 5-androstane 11-ol 3, 17-dione and 5-androstane 3, 11, 17-trione respectively. After chromic oxydation of its acetate, the Rf was the same as that of 21 monoacetate of cortisone.     

Die Hemmung von Enzymen der Inneren Mitochondrienmembran durch Benzbromaron

Summary The uricosuric drug benzbromarone inhibits a number of membrane-bound mitochondrial enzymes. A strong inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase, -glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and pyridinnucleotide transhydrogenase was found (approximately 28, 48, 45 M benzbromarone for 50% inhibition respectively). Some possible consequences of these results for the lipid metabolism in patients during benzbromarone are discussed.     

Über den biologischen Abbau eines Glutarsäureimids

Summary In view of the therapeutic interest glutarimides have been found recently, the metabolism of -Phenyl--ethyl-glutarimide and 3-Phenyl-3-ethyl-2-piperidone have been studied by feeding experiments upon dogs. Both derivatives were degraded to -phenyl glutarimide, the ethyl side chain was thereby very probably eliminated by oxidation.     

Transfilter associations of nonleguminous plants with rhizobia: Channelling of N2 fixed by rhizobia into the nitrogen-metabolism ofPortulaca grandiflora callus tissues

Summary In transfilter associations ofPortulaca grandiflora callus tissues withRhizobium sp. cowpea 32H1 the nitrogenium fixed by the bacteria was channelled into the normal pathway of nitrogen metabolism of higher plants. In associations kept in an¹⁵N₂ containing atmosphere 10% of the¹⁵N taken up into the plant cells was incorporated intoPortulaca proteins. The results demonstrate that cells of nonleguminous plants are profiting from the quasi-symbiotic situation.     

Alpha-amylase inhibitor increases plasma 3-hydroxybutyric acid in food-restricted rats

The effect on energy metabolism of delayed absorption of starch by inhibition of -amylase was examined by considering levels of plasma glucose and 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-OHBA) in rats. Addition of -amylase inhibitor (AI) to a high starch diet delayed the plasma glucose response after feeding: peak plasma glucose levels in the control group occurred 15 min after feeding, whereas in the AI group this peak did not occur until 30 min after. The total plasma glucose response was not different between the two groups. Plasma 3-OHBA levels 1 day after food restriction increased approximately five-fold in both groups. After 3 days of food restriction, the AI group maintained the same level of plasma 3-OHBA as after 1 day of food restriction, while the control group showed significantly decreased levels of 3-OHBA. After 3 days of food restriction, plasma insulin levels were significantly decreased in the AI group compared with the corresponding levels of the control group and with levels before the restriction. There was no significant difference in body weight between the two groups. These findings suggest that delayed hyperglycemia due to delayed absorption of starch following AI loading may attenuate insulin secretion, leading to altered metabolism of 3-OHBA during the delayed response to energy deficit.