The erythrocytic pathway of the metabolic transformations of sex hormones
Petrenko, I.M.; Matiushin, A.I.; Titov, V.I.; Vladimirov, I.A.
Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia 58(4): 36-40
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0869-2092 PMID: 7580751 Document Number: 445854
Studying possible metabolic pathways of sex hormones in human body is important for understanding the mechanisms of their action and pharmacodynamic parameters. It was demonstrated that estradiol, estrone and estriol are capable of oxidative transformations in horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed reactions. Stoichiometric ratio of the consumption of estrogens and hydrogen peroxide in peroxidase oxidation was 1:1 for estradiol and estrone and 1:2 for estriol. Unlike estrogens, testosterone and progesterone had no such feature. In methemoglobin-catalyzed oxidative reactions, estrogens were also effectively subject to oxidative transformations. On the other hand, testosterone and progesterone were not. Based on a literature review and original research findings, the erythrocytic pathway of metabolic estrogen transformations in human body is justified. Its possible physiological and pharmacological significance is discussed.