A Substance Which Prolongs the Life of Adrenalectomized Cats.

Abstract

We have obtained a substance from the cortex of the adrenal (ox), which prolongs the life of adrenalectomized cats.

The water or 0.8% NaCl extract is cleared of much protein and cellular debris by isoelectric precipitation. The substance is then obtained by precipitation with NaCl. Epinephrin is removed by washing.

At present we have used this preparation in the treatment of 21 adrenalectomized cats. Two of these cats are not included in this report, because one died from being overheated, and the other is still alive after 175 days, no injections having been given for 100 days.

The average length of life of untreated adrenalectomized cats may be taken as 5 to 6 days, judging from the work of Marine and Baumann, 1 and our own unpublished results.

The first 5 cats in this study lived an average of 15.6 days, although we were constantly modifying our preparation, and at times there was evidence of deterioration. The results were complicated, or the experiment even terminated in some, by infection (Table I).

In the remainder of the experiments the methods of preparing the material for injection have been more uniform. Likewise, the survival periods are longer. In Table II we have included experiments which may have kenshortened by infections or reduction in kidney tissue.

In Table III there were no complications except in BW. In this cat death seemed to be hastened by the feeding of too much dextrose. Up to this time the cat had been in excellent condition and had eaten well.

The average survival of the 19 cats was 21 days.

Many of these cats behaved like normal cats, eating well, showing spontaneity and taking an active interest in their surroundings. Manipulations, such as drawing daily samples of blood, or even more drastic procedures, produced no ill effects.