INOSITURIA

Abstract

Clinical literature carries records of well authenticated cases in which noteworthy amounts of inositol, ranging sometimes from 15 to 20 gm. daily, have been excreted in the urine of man. This substance, more commonly referred to as inosite, was once thought to be a carbohydrate because its empiric formula, C₆H₁₂O₆, corresponds closely with that of familiar sugars. It is now known, however, to be a member of the cyclose group with the formula of a hexahydrocyclohexane, C₆H₆(OH)₆, which appears to be a constituent of both animal and vegetable tissues. The plant component known as phytin is the salt of a compound of inositol and phosphoric acid. In view of the wide distribution of such substances and their presumable inclusion in many articles of diet, the appearance of inositol in animal tissues and excretions has naturally been attributed to the dietary