Investigations into the presence and the rôle of bromine in the body

Abstract

A method is descr. for the determination of Br in body fluids and tissues. After ignition with NaOH at pH 5.4, the ash is extracted with water, the filtrate treated with fluorescein, and the eosine so formed estimated colorimetrically. 0.15-055 mg. Br per 100 cc. was found in the blood of normal persons untreated with bromide, the ratio between corpuscles and plasma being 1:3; about 1/5 of Br is present in an alcohol insoluble form. 1.0-2.5 mg. Br are daily excreted in the urine, the urinary ratio Br to Cl being much lower than that of all body fluids and tissues. After intraven. injection of 1 gm. NaBr 14-24 mg. Br are excreted during 24 hrs.; much larger quantities after the daily intake of small doses (0.5 mg.) over a long period. 0.5-0.9 mg. Br per 100 cc. was found in the "fasting" gastric juice. Histamine does not increase the normal Br content of the gastric juice but it does so if gastric Cl is replaced by Br following high Br intake. Pituitaries and thyroids of cattle did not contain higher Br amts. than other organs. Ten manic-depressive patients showed normal amts. of Br both in blood and urine. The normal kidney does not excrete Br above a certain limit, which might account for the replacement of chlorides in the body. If a certain degree of Br storage has been established, the ratio Br/Cl in the urine rises to the same height as that of the blood.[long dash]H. Ucko.