Effect of Suprarenal Cortical Extract on Nitrogen and Sugar Elimination in Depancreatized Dogs.

Abstract

In previous publications we 1 described a new calorigenic principle obtained from the suprarenal cortex or whole gland. The active substance is combined in the lipoid fraction and is extracted from the tissue with ethyl alcohol. After evaporation of the alcohol and extraction of the residue with benzene or ether, the active lipoid protein-free fraction is obtained. The water-soluble fraction of the lipoid contains epinephrin besides the active substance. 2 Epinephrin, however, is less firmly bound by the lipoid and can first be removed by prolonged washing or mild acid hydrolysis in the absence of oxygen. The active principle is unstable, but in the absence of oxygen we have kept a preparation active for 5 1/2 months. In our earlier work the extract was administered orally but effects were not always constant. Given hypodermieally, approximately one-tenth to one-fifteenth the amount is required and the results have been much more consistent.

Besides the calorigenic effect, the preparation has been found capable of increasing the mechanical efficiency in certain cases of abnormal muscular fatigue as myasthenia gravis and Addison's disease. In such cases the abnormal creatine excretion also disappeared. Since these effects could possibly be explained by an increase in carbohydrate metabolism, we have studied the effect of the calorigenic principle upon the sugar and protein metabolism in depancreatized dogs.

The accompanying chart shows a typical experiment in a dog 3 months after operation. During this period the dog was placed on exactly 1,000 gm. lean meat plus pancreatin and 14 units insulin, which permitted a sugar elimination of 25 to 30 gm. daily. One cc. of cortical extract representing 45 gm. of whole gland given hypodermically daily caused a diminution in the urinary sugar and nitrogen.