Metabolism of megestrol acetate by rat adrenal glands in vitro.

Megestrol acetate is metabolized by homogenates of rat adrenal glands to three more polar metabolites Y(2), Y(3) and Y(4). Their structures were investigated by microchemical reactions, paper chromatography, and ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy. Metabolite Y(3) was identified as 17alpha-acetoxy-11beta-hydroxy-6-methyl-pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione, its oxidation product being identical with authentic 17alpha-acetoxy-6-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,11,20-trione. It is suggested that metabolite Y(2) is 17,18-dihydroxy-6-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione and that it also exists in the form of an alpha-ketol formed between the 18-hydroxyl and 20-oxo groups. Metabolite Y(4) is probably a tautomeric form of metabolite Y(2) as they were partially interconverted on chromatography and also have similar properties.