title: Synthesis of specifically deuterium-labelled pregnanolone and pregnanediol sulphates for metabolic studies in humans.
abstract: A synthesis is reported of 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one sulphate and the disulphate and 3-monosulphate of 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,20alpha-diol, labelled specifically with deuterium in high isotopic purity for metabolic studies in humans. Base-catalyzed equilibration of 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-25R-spirostan-12-one (hemcogenin, II) with deuterium oxide, followed by removal of the 12-keto group and degradation of the sapogenin side-chain afforded 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-[11,11-2H2]pregn-16-en-20-one (VII). Further deuterium atoms were introduced at the 3alpha and 20beta positions by reductions with sodium borodeuteride and lithium aluminum deuteride, respectively. These reactions led to 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-[3alpha,11,11-2H3]pregnan-20-one (X; isotopic purity 87.2%) and 5alpha-[3alpha,11,11,20beta-2H4]pregnane-3beta,20alpha-diol (XIV; isotopic purity 83.9%). The 3-sulphate of the pregnanolone and the 3,20-disulphate of the pregnanediol were prepared directly form the free alcohols, while the 3-monosulphate of the pregnanediol was obtained via 5alpha-[3alpha,11,11,20beta-2H4]pregnane-3beta,20alpha-diol 20-acetate (XVII).
mesh_terms: D003903:Deuterium; D006801:Humans; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008722:Methods; D011276:Pregnanediol / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011278:Pregnanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011278:Pregnanes; D003903:Deuterium; D011280:Pregnanolone; D011276:Pregnanediol