Urinary cysteinyl progestogens: Occurrence and origin

作者：Marcos Josep; Pol Marta; Fabregat Andreu; Ventura Rosa; Renau Nuria; Hanzu Felicia A; Casals Gregori; Marfa Santi; Barcelo Bernardi; Barcelo Antonia; Robles Juan; Segura Jordi; Pozo Oscar J^*

来源：Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2015, 152: 53-61.

DOI：10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.04.015

• Progestogen
• Cysteinyl
• Adrenal glands
• Gonads
• Placenta
• Mass spectrometry

The presence of two cysteinyl progestogens, 16-cysteinyl-progesterone (16-Cys-Prog) and 16-cysteinyl-pregnenolone (16-Cys-Preg), in human urine is described for the first time. Their occurrence was unequivocally confirmed by comparison with synthesized material by using mass spectrometric detectors. Several experiments were performed in order to clarify their origin. The adrenal origin of both 16-Cys-Prog and 16-Cys-Preg can be inferred from the increase in their concentrations after ACTH stimulatory test, together with their circadian variation similar to the one observed for cortisol.
Moreover, the notable increase in excretions of 16-Cys-Prog during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle points towards an ovarian production for this progestogen. However, the analysis of samples during the course of two pregnancies revealed that, in spite of the large amounts of progesterone produced during gestation, the human placenta lacks the capacity to make 16-Cys-Prog. The adrenal and ovarian origin has been further indicated by the absence of both metabolites in samples collected from a subject with bilateral adrenalectomy and hypogonadotrophyic hypogonadism.
Regarding liver action, in vitro studies with hepatdcytes and progesterone indicate that, although the liver is able to metabolize progesterone to 6-dehydroprogesterone, it has not the enzymatic machinery for the generation of 16-dehydroprogesterone. Taken together, these results open the possibility for a noninvasive test for the simultaneous evaluation of progesterone biosynthesis in different organs.

• 出版日期2015-8