title: Steroid absorption and enterohepatic recycling.
abstract: A short review on steroid absorption and enterohepatic recycling in man with special emphasis on contraceptive and related steroids is presented. Some new experimental data on the intestinal metabolism of steroids is described and includes further observations on the effect of antimicrobial agents on steroid hormone metabolism. Evidence is presented that plasma levels of steroids may be influenced if the intestinal microflora is altered. Some formation of biologically active steroids, like estradiol, may occur in the intestinal tract and this may have both biological and pathological consequences and may be influenced by such factors as diet and sex. It is concluded that our knowledge of the intestinal and especially, the mucosal metabolism of steroids is scanty and further studies are needed to clarify the role of the intestine and enterohepatic circulation in determining the bioavailability of natural and synthetic steroids.
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D004764:Enterohepatic Circulation; D004964:Estriol / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004967:Estrogens; D013256:Steroids; D000667:Ampicillin; D004964:Estriol