Liver vitamin content and adrenal cortical function.

Abstract

THAT extracts of the adrenal gland are capable of elevating the blood sugar level and liver glycogen stores has been known for some time (Britton and Silvette, 1932). Moreover, the ability to cause deposition of glycogen in the livers of adrenalectomized rats and mice has provided a useful basis for the assay of corticoid substances (Reinecke and Kendall, 1942; Venning, et al., 1946). In view of the importance of B-vitamins in carbohydrate metabolism, it seemed desirable to determine whether the effect of the adrenal cortex on glycogen formation in the liver is accompanied by an alteration in the vitamin content of the liver. This approach also seemed of interest in view of the reported implication of pantothenic acid in adrenal function and in cholesterol metabolism (Ralli and Dumm, 1952; Guehring et al., 1952). METHODS Adult female Holtzman rats were adrenalectomized under ether anaesthesia through a lumbar approach.