Abstract
It has been stated that epinephrin stimulates the activity of the thyroid and thereby increases protein metabolism; that it inhibits the activity of the pancreas thereby reducing the internal secretion of that gland with resulting diabetes (school of von Noorden). Hari, working with curarized dogs, finds a higher respiratory quotient after administering epinephrin than before the dose had been given. Wilenko, using rabbits under the influence of urethan, finds that epinephrin injections are without influence on the respiratory quotients, and that when carbohydrate is administered at the same time, the respiratory quotient indicates that the combustion of sugar is largely suppressed. Falta has lately administered epinephrin to human beings and has noted a rise in the respiratory quotient.
In the experiments now reported it was found that in the case of a dog which received 50 grams of glucose per os and, at the same time, received 1 milligram of epinephrin per kilogram subcutaneously, the respiratory quotient rose to unity, remained at that level during five hours in spite of the fact that during this period about 10 grams of glucose were eliminated in the urine. The protein metabolism was unaffected. Therefore, adrenalin does not inhibit the pancreas causing diminished carbohydrate oxidation, nor does it stimulate the thyroid causing increased protein metabolism.
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