In vitro metabolic conjugation of catechol estrogens

In vitro metabolic conjugation of the catechol estrogens, 2-hydroxyestrone and 4-hydroxyestrone, has been investigated by means of HPLC with electrochemical detection. Sulfation of 2-hydroxyestrone and 4-hydroxyestrone with the rat liver 105 000 g supernatant fortified with 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate provided the 2- and 4-monosulfates, respectively. Glucuronidation of the two catechols with the rat and human liver 1500 g supernatant in the presence of uridine-5'- phosphoglucuronic acid gave the 2- and 4-glucuronides, respectively. In contrast, incubation with the guinea pig liver 1500 g supernatant yielded both isomeric monoglucuronides . When 2'-hydroxyestrone was incubated with rat liver 1500 g supernatant and S-adenosyl-L-methionine, the 2- and 3-monomethyl ethers were formed in an equal amount, while 4-hydroxyestrone was transformed into the 4-methyl ether in 12 times greater yield than the 3-methyl ether. The participation of sulfation and glucuronidation in the formation of guaiacol estrogens is discussed.