11 beta-Hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone in a case of virilizing adrenal adenoma: isolation from urine and mitochondrial conversion from dehydroepiandrosterone.

11 beta-Hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone has been isolated from the urine of a 14-yr-old girl with a virilizing adrenal adenoma. Its excretion was estimated to be 0.4 mg/24 h by gas chromatography and the compound was further identified by mass spectrometry. When [7-3H]dehydroepiandrosterone was incubated with mitochondria prepared from the adenoma, approximately 10% was converted to 11 beta-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone. The identity of the radioactive 11 beta-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone was verified by reversed isotopic dilution, its conversion to 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione, and its mobility in several chromatographic systems. This is the first demonstration of an 11 beta-hydroxylase from a human source having an affinity for dehydroepiandrosterone.