Precursors of Etiocholanolone and Androsterone in Adrenal Carcinoma

Abstract

Summary

The precursor of urinary androsterone and etiocholanolone was shown to be dehydroepiandrosterone in 2 ovariectomized women. In 3 women with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal carcinoma, there were other major precursors of etiocholanolone and, to a lesser extent, of androsterone. It was suggested that these other precursors were 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and compound S. In one patient with adrenal cancer who excreted only 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroids, etiocholanolone was derived almost entirely from dehydroepiandrosterone. The secretion rate of DHA was 7 and 11 mg daily in 2 ovariectomized women. In 4 patients with adrenal carcinoma, it ranged from 28 mg to 390 mg daily.

I wish to thank Drs. Seymour Lieberman and Bernt Hôkfelt for stimulating discussion and helpful criticism. Mrs. Barbara Riter contributed excellent technical assistance.