Presence and Significance of Choline in Cortico-Adrenal Extract

Abstract

The widespread occurrence of choline and its compounds in the normal organism has been regarded as an indication that it may have some functional significance. Choline is normally found in the brain, blood, bile, intestine and adrenal cortex; as well as in extracts of the spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, pancreas, etc. In spite of the many studies that have been made, the rôle of choline in health and disease is still a matter of speculation. The antagonistic action between choline and epinephrine is of particular interest because of the normal presence in the adrenal cortex of the former, a powerful parasympathetic stimulant, and the elaboration by the adrenal medulla of the latter, a sympathetic stimulant of the highest order. The humoral possibilities of choline and acetylcholine have been widely advanced, the former as the hormone of intestinal movement by Magnus and LeHeux, and the latter as “Vagusstoff” a possible circulatory hormone, by Loewi and others. It has been reported that choline is converted into acetylcholine by virtue of the ability of the body to supply the acetyl group. 1

We have analyzed various cortico-adrenal extracts made by the method of Swingle and Pfiffner and have found them all to contain considerable quantities of choline. Four different tests were used on each sample of extract: 2 microscopic tests, a precipitation test, and a color test. We have studied Eschatin (Parke, Davis & Co.) and several different extracts made by Harrop et al. ∗ In each case, these extracts were found to give strongly positive choline results. Further quantitative work in this connection is in progress.

The question arises, is choline the hormone of the adrenal cortex or is it present in cortico-adrenal extract as a potent, disregarded impurity? To eliminate the former possibility 40 young rats were used in 4 series of experiments, and an attempt was made to maintain life with choline compounds following adrenalectomy.