title: The identification, quantification and possible origin of non-polar conjugates in human plasma.
abstract: The existence and quantification of non-polar conjugates of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and androstenediol in human plasma is described. The plasma level of non-polar pregnenolone conjugate is 200% higher than that of pregnenolone but the conjugates of DHA and androstenediol are 10 and 5-10% respectively of the plasma levels of the unconjugated steroid. Non-polar pregnenolone conjugate concentrations were found to be highly elevated in the plasma of one pregnant subject, and elevated in the plasma of patients with acne and breast cancer. Non-polar DHA conjugate levels were significantly elevated in hirsute patients and were approaching significance for patients with acne. A subject taking the combined oral contraceptive pill had very low plasma DHA conjugate levels. No significant alterations in the plasma levels of the androstenediol conjugates were found. A role for the non-polar conjugates in the aetiology of hirsutism and acne is proposed.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015114:Androstenediol / Q000097:blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000097:blood; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011284:Pregnenolone; D015114:Androstenediol