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Biomedical subjects

B I Norton

Publications and source records attributed to B I Norton.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

19-Hydroxylation of androgens by rat granulosa cells.

The transformation of androgens by rat granulosa cells was examined employing [19-C3H3]-, [1 beta-3H]-, and [1,2,6,7-3H]androgens as substrates. Rat granulosa cell homogenates incubated with [19-C3H3]androstenedione generated [3H] water and [3H]formic acid in a ratio of 8-9, indicating considerable 19-hydroxylation which was not followed by aromatization. This ratio remained relatively constant regardless of the time in the estrous cycle when the ovaries were removed, although there were large differences in the extent of the reactions. Parallel incubations with [1 beta-3H]]androstenedione showed that the aromatization of [19-C3H3]androstenedione in this tissue proceeds with a negative isotope effect of approximately 3, similar to that in human placenta. Incubation of the same substrates with granulosa cell cultures produced [3H]water and [3H]formic acid in ratios of 4-5 and showed a smaller negative isotope effect in the aromatization of [19-C3H3]androstenedione. FSH stimulation of the cell cultures had no influence on the ratio of 19-hydroxylation to aromatization with respect of either the duration of stimulation or the concentration of the pituitary hormone. Incubation of the cell cultures with [1,2,6,7-3H]androstenedione yielded tritium-labeled 19-hydroxy- and 19-oxoandrostendiones and estrogens in relative quantities corresponding to those expected from the [3H]water and [3H]formic acid formation. Virtually all of the products were found in the medium, with only trace quantities located intracellularly. Similarly, incubation of granulosa cell homogenates with [14C]androstenedione yielded [14C]19-oxygenated androgens in excess of [14C] estrogens. These results indicate that rat granulosa cells effect C-19-hydroxylation of androgens greater than that linked to aromatization and that the rat ovaries produce 19-oxygenated androgens in quantities exceeding those of estrogens. The excess 19-hydroxylation is synchronous with aromatization, but it is not known whether it is catalyzed by the same or a different enzyme. The formation of 19-oxygenated androgens in cell cultures indicates that they are distinct metabolites of androgens in the rat ovary and are not merely trapped transient aromatization intermediates.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1984

Catechol estrogen formation and metabolism in brain tissue: comparison of tritium release from different positions in ring A of the steroid.

Catechol estrogens labeled with 3H at different positions in rings A and B of the steroid were synthesized by chemical or enzymatic methods, and their oxidative transformation by male rat brain microsomes was followed by the transfer of 3H into 3H2O. This reaction was shown to occur more readily with the catechol estrogens than with the parent steroid and was also influenced by the position of the radiolabel. Tritium was displaced less readily from C-1 than from C-2 or C-4 of the aromatic ring. Spermine, which is known to increase cytochrome P-450-mediated hydroxylation reactions, had no effect on the release of 3H from ring A of either estradiol or 2-hydroxyestradiol with rat brain microsomes in contrast to liver. Glutathione and other thiols were able to cause a rapid loss of 3H from labeled catechol estrogens, even in the absence of tissue, but in double label experiments with [4-3H]- and [4-14C]2-hydroxyestradiol, the isotope ratio in the recovered catechol estrogen was unchanged. The results illustrate some of the problems in determining accurately the metabolism of estrogens by measuring 3H2O formation when aromatic hydroxylation is involved and also highlight the possible interaction of the catechol estrogens with cellular nucleophiles such as glutathione.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Opiate regulation of estradiol-2-hydroxylase in brains of male rats: mechanism for control of pituitary hormone secretion.

Treatment of male rats with a single high dose of morphine (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) results in a dramatic suppression of brain estradiol-2-hydroxylase activity. The suppression is blocked by naloxone and is decreased upon the development of tolerance. The injection of naloxone (0.4 mg/kg) alone produces a significant increase in brain estradiol-2-hydroxylase activity over control levels. The effects of the opiate agonists and antagonists on the activity of this brain enzyme coincide in degree and direction with their effects on plasma lutropin (luteinizing hormone) concentrations. Because the 2-hydroxyestrogens were shown to induce pituitary lutropin release, the present results indicate that the action of opiates, endogenous or exogenous, on pituitary gonadotropin release can be mediated by brain catechol estrogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Dose related changes in tissue morphine concentration.

Rats were injected with morphine-6(3)H diluted with increasing amounts of non-radiolabelled morphine. The entry of the isotope into the brain and various tissues was measured by combustion in a tissue oxidizer. The relative distribution of morphine between the blood and brain remained constant at about 5.5:1 over the range of doses studied (0.07 - 10.0 mg/kg). No dose related differential effects on morphine uptake were evident in central tissues, with the exception of the hypothalamus which exhibited a disproportionately greater uptake. Among the noncentral tissues, kidney and liver showed the greatest dose related increases in uptake.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Preparation and evaluation of a sustained naloxone delivery system in rats.

The use of a non-biodegradable polymer system to provide a sustained release of the narcotic antagonist naloxone in rats is described. The kinetics of morphine analgesia (measured by the hot-plate test) in the presence of the naloxone implant, and the urinary excretion of radiolabeled naloxone were measured. The shift of the morphine dose-response curve to the right is expressed in terms of dose ratios, which were calculated from the ED50 values for morphine obtained 9 days before, and 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days after implantation of the polymer. Our experiments indicate that effective levels of antagonist were maintained for 3-4 weeks after implantation of a polymer system containing 16 mg of naloxone. After 29 days, more than 95% of the absorbed drug had been released, with 16% of the implanted radioactivity appearing in the urine. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using a sustained release form of a narcotic antagonist to block the effects of morphine.

Animals↗