Tissue culture of bone marrow. V. Effect of 5Beta(H) steroids and cyclic AMP on heme synthesis.

In mice 5beta(H) steroids have been shown tostimulate heme synthesis in vivo. The current studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect of these steroids on heme synthesis by use of the "well" method of marrow culture. The 5beta(H) steroid metabolites 3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-pregnane-11, 20-dione, 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one, 3 alpha,17alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-androstan-3-one stimulated Fe uptake by human marrow explants cultured in wells. The dibutyrl analog of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (db cAMP) also stimulated Fe uptake. The effect of the latter compound was enhanced by theophylline. There was no additive nor synergistic effect between db cAMP and the 5beta(H) steroid metabolites. There was no inhibition of the steroid metabolite effect by either antierythropoietin serum or cyproterone. Uptake of fe was also enhanced by the cations Ca++ and Co++.