D-Glucuronic Acid in Metabolism

Abstract

Publisher Summary In the fields of biochemistry and pharmacology, interest in D -glucuronic acid has centered round the part it plays in the metabolism of drugs and other foreign organic compounds. While the ability of the organism to synthesize D -glucuronic acid in response to the administration of such compounds is truly remarkable, the extent to which it participates in normal metabolism is virtually unknown, except for the fact that it is concerned in the metabolism of certain steroid sex hormones. This function appears to be similar to that involved in the metabolism of foreign organic compounds and throws no light on the part, if any, which it plays in carbohydrate metabolism. The chapter presents various D-glucuronides, which have been obtained in pure form or as crystalline derivatives. From a theoretical standpoint, D-glucuronides may be regarded as being formed by the elimination of water between the hydroxyl group of position one of D -glucuronic acid and either the hydroxyl group of a phenol or alcohol or the carboxyl group of an acid.