THE EFFECT OF SYMPATHECTOMY ON THE FATTY DEPOSIT IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Abstract

1. Unilateral section of both splanchnic nerves in cats diminishes the degree of fall in the amount of perirenal fat which follows laparotomy under ether anæsthesia. On the splanchnicotomised side the perirenal fat weighs 100–300 per cent. more than on the intact side.2. The same difference is found if the cats starve after splanchnicotomy, or if cats with very little perirenal fat are fattened after the splanchnicotomy.3. When cats are fed with a diet containing fat stained with Sudan III. the stained fat is deposited in the perirenal fat on both sides in equal concentrations. When they are starved after unilateral splanchnicotomy, the amount of the perirenal fatty tissue on the ipsilateral side is greater than on the normal. The concentration of Sudan III., however, remains on both sides the same as it was previous to the splanchnicotomy and starvation.4. If cats and rats are kept on normal unstained diets for various periods after unilateral splanchnicotomy, are then fed with a diet containing fat stained with Sudan III. and are killed 18 hours after the feeding, the concentration of Sudan III. on the splanchnicotomised side is about ¼ of that on the normal side.5. The conclusion is reached that, in consequence of the splanchnicotomy, changes take place in the perirenal connective tissue which slow both the deposition of fat and its mobilisation. The mobilisation is retarded more than the deposition.6. Unilateral splanchnicotomy in the rabbit and in the rat has the same effect on the perirenal fat as in the cat.7. The effect of unilateral extirpation of the stellate and the superior cervical ganglia on the amount of the pericardial fat and the effect of unilateral extirpation of the lumbar and sacral ganglia on the abdominal and subcutaneous fat on the denervated side make it likely that the effects of the splanchnic nerves on the perirenal fat may be extended to describe the relation between fat storage in and sympathetic innervation of connective tissue in general.At the beginning of this work we had the collaboration of Mr. Zoltán Harris, and for this and for Professor Sándor Belák‐s kind interest and helpful suggestions the authors express their best thanks.