[Evaluation of catalytic activity of multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of Wistar rats by androstenedione metabolism].

The synthesis of androstenedione (AD) metabolites in liver microsomes of control and phenobarbital (PB)-induced male and female Wistar rats was studied. In liver microsomes of non-induced male rats the predominant formation of 16 alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione was observed, whereas in females the predominant form was the 7 alpha-metabolite. Induction of animals of both sexes with PB was accompanied by an increase in the 16 beta-hydroxylase activity. The dynamics of synthesis of other AD metabolites specifically produced by such cytochrome P-450 forms as P-450a, P-450h and P-450p was investigated. The specificity of metabolism of androstenedione by multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 is postulated.