Metabolism of hydroanthracenones in rabbits.

1. The metabolism of 1-oxo-octahydro- and 2- and 9-oxoperhydro-anthracenes was investigated in rabbits. All compounds increased the urinary glucuronide content. 2. The 1-oxo and 2-oxo compounds were reduced to the corresponding alcohols whereas the 9-oxo compound was hydroxylated. 3. The reduction in vitro of these compounds and related ketones was investigated with three different enzyme systems (liver alcohol dehydrogenase, hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, aromatic aldehyde-ketone reductase) in an attempt to explain the results in vivo. 4. Successful reduction of many ketones with aromatic aldehyde-ketone reductase suggests that the kidney may be of importance in the reduction in vivo of certain cyclic carbonyl compounds.