SOME STUDIES ON THE OXIDATIVE METABOLISM OF THE ADRENAL GLAND

Abstract

NUMEROUS studies have served to elucidate the physiology and bio-chemistry of the adrenal medulla and cortex, but at the same time have paid scant attention to the metabolic pattern underlying the endocrine phenomena of these tissues. Because of the lack of information on the nature and scope of intermediary metabolism of the adrenal, it was deemed important to initiate such an investigation. The present paper describes various reactions occurring in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and in the metabolism of a number of amino acids and other compounds, as carried out by isotonic homogenates and by slices of the adrenal gland. Some of these reactions have been studied in several tissues for comparative purposes. Preparation of Animal Tissues: Most of this work was done with beef adrenals, which were obtained at a nearby slaughterhouse. The organs were dissected out within 30 minutes or less of the death of the animals,