[Inactivation of androgens by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases].

Liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tissues are well known to express UDP-glucuronosyltransférase (UGT) enzymes which conjugate exogenous compounds. This mechanism is extremely important to eliminate several compounds from the body. Recent studies have shown that, in addition to the liver and kidney, a large number of tissues, namely the prostate and skin, also express UGT which are capable of inactivating steroids. This mechanism may be a means to modulate the action of steroids in these tissues.