Lipids of human adrenals

Abstract

The lipids from a series of human adrenal glands obtained at autopsies and surgical operations were fractionated by chromatography on silicic acid. The lipid fractions from one pair of adrenals were examined in some detail. Evidence was found of the presence of a sterol diol. Evidence is presented that when human adrenal glands are stimulated the sterol esters are depleted and the phospholipids increased. Free sterols and triglycerides are not appreciably changed. The sterol ester acids differ appreciably from those found in blood, particularly in the small amount of linoleic acid. It is suggested that the first stage of steroid biosynthesis takes place while cholesterol is still esterified.