Chromatographic patterns of urinary ethynyl estrogen metabolites in various populations.

ABSTRACT

Radioactive mestranol (ME) and/or ethynylestradiol (EE) were administered to women in Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the USA, and the types and patterns of radioactive urinary conjugates examined by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. There are no differences in the total excretion of urinary radioactivity over 3 days. Consistent geographic differences appear to be present in the proportion of 3-, 17-, and 3,17-glucuronides. If confirmed on larger population samples, these observations may indicate significant geographic differences in the hepatic metabolism of ethynyl estrogens. High performance liquid chromatographic patterns of the urinary aglycone metabolites of ME and EE were examined in a number of women. The separation was accomplished on a Chromegaprep Diol column with a gradient of isopropanol in heptane. Ethynyl estrogen metabolism shows considerable individual variation. EE is usually the principal compound escreted following ME or EE administration. Unmetabolized ME is present in the ME profiles. The profiles of EE and ME are similar, with EE demonstrating a more complex pattern. Oxidative metabolism occurs chiefly at positions 2, 6 and 16 and is fairly extensive in the USA subjects. The Sri Lankan women generally show less of the oxidative products and the Nigerian group display a notable lack of oxidative metabolism. There is no difference in the metabolic patterns of long-term oral contraceptive users vs. non-users. Using silver sulfoethylcellulose column chromatography, from 14.1 to 34.7% of the excreted radiolabeled aglycones are non-ethynyl (i.e., either D-homo or de-ethynylated estrogens).

ABSTRACT

PIP Types and patterns of radioactive urinary conjugates were examined by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography after ingestion of radiolabeled mestranol and/or ethinyl estradiol in a variety of populations. Women in Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the United States were given the radioactive estrogens. Over 3 days, no differences in total excretion of urinary radioactivity were found. However, there were consistent geographical differences in the proportion of 3-, 17-, and 3,17-glucuronides, indicating significant geographical differences in hepatic metabolism of ethinyl estrogens. Then high-performance liquid chromatographic patterns of urinary aglycone metabolites of mestranol and ethinyl estradiol were studied after successful separation on a Chromegaprep Diol column. Ethinyl estrogen metabolism showed great individual variation. Ethinyl estradiol was the principal compound excreted after ingesting either ethinyl estradiol or mestranol. Unmetabolized mestranol was found as well. Ethinyl estradiol and mestranol profiles were similar, with ethinyl estradiol demonstrating a more complex pattern. U. S. subjects displayed extensive oxidative metabolism (Positions 2, 6, and 16), Sri Lankans less Nigerians very little if any. No difference in metabolic patterns was seen among long-term vs. short-term users vs. nonusers.