Endogenous digitalislike compounds. A tentative update of chemical and biological studies.

Abstract

Endogenous digitalislike compound (or compounds) has been described as involved in some diseases. Questions remain concerning its chemical nature, origin, and biological properties. The methods of measuring the compound are based on biological properties of digitalis, mainly Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) inhibition and related properties. Chemically, digitalislike compound has been described as a peptide, as fatty acids, and as a steroid. Its origin could be the brain, particularly the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The adrenal glands were also proposed as its origin. The reported biological properties of digitalislike compound are mainly dependent on Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition. No definitive conclusions can be drawn from the available data.