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Metabolism of Gamma-Lactones by rat liver preparations in vitro
Abstract
As part of an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis by αβ-unsaturated y-lactones, a systematic study of the metabolism of a group of saturated and αβ-unsaturated lactones was performed. It was shown that the saturated y-lactones are much more rapidly enzymatically hydrolysed than their αβ-unsaturated analogs. while the latter compounds are also conjugated with glutathione which could eventually lead to the excretion of mercapturic acids. On the whole, however. the saturated lactones are more rapidly metabolized.