Effects of 3 beta-[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]androst-5-en-17-one on the synthesis of cholesterol and ubiquinone in rat intestinal epithelial cell cultures.

The relationship between cholesterol and ubiquinone synthesis in rat intestinal epithelial cell cultures was examined by using 3 beta-[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]androst-5-en-17-one hydrochloride (U18666A). Addition of U18666A to cells caused a greater than 90% inhibition of incorporation of [3H]acetate into cholesterol and an apparent large increase in the incorporation of [3H]acetate and [3H]mevalonate into ubiquinone. However, the incorporation of 4-hydroxy[U-14C]benzoate, a ring precursor of ubiquinone, was unchanged.