[Transformation of anthracycline antibiotics and their semisynthetic derivatives as affected by the liver aldo-keto reductase of rats].

Formation of 13-dihydro derivatives of rubomycin (daunorubicin), carminomycin, doxorubicin and some of their semisynthetic derivatives under the effect of pure aldo-keto reductase from the rat liver was studied. Attachment of an oxy group to C-14 markedly retarded formation of the 13-dihydro derivatives while attachment of the bulky radicals to the same position prevented their formation. Binding of the anthracycline antibiotics to human serum albumin had no impact on the fermentative reaction rate. Rubomycin, carminomycin and doxorubicin significantly differed in their lipophilic properties and capacity for binding to serum albumin.