B ioch em istry
II. The application of the theoretical basis to the determination of glutathione and other substances
reacting with I is discussed. F. O. H.
Determ ination of iron in blood and biological fluids. A. B e r x h a r d and I. J. D r e k t e r (Science, 1932, 75, 517).—Ethylene glycol Bu ether + E t20 (equal vols.) satisfactorily replaces C5H n -0H and E t20 in extracting Ee(CNS)3. The colour is more intense and does not fade during 24 hr. L. S. T.
Blood-calcium in fasting m en . R . N i c o l a y s e x
(Biochem. Z., 1932, 248, 275—277).—During the course of 24 hr. the Ca content of the blood of fasting men may vary irregularly by as much as 2 mg. per 100 c.e. and the max. variation from day to day may reach 3 mg. per 100 c.e. Administration of Ca lactate before the fasting period may result in a
rise in the content. W. M.
Determ ination of m agnesium in blood with 8-hydroxyquinoline. D. M. G r e e x b e r g and M. A.
M a c k e y (J. Biol. Chem., 1932, 96, 419—429).—Mg in oxalated whole blood and plasma is determined by adding to the protein-free filtrate 1% NH4C1, cone. aq. N H 3, and a 1 % EtOH solution of 8-hydroxy
quinoline, and warming at 70—80° for 20—30 min.
The ppt. is washed with 2% aq. N H 3 and 95% EtOH and more 2% aq. N H 3, dried, and dissolved in hot HC1. To the HC1 solution are added 50% KBr and standard K B r03 solutions. After shaking for 1 min.
20% ICI is added and the excess of I titrated willi N a2S20 3. Serum-Mg is determined in the same way
after removal of Ca. H. D.
B lood-sugar and -chloride curves. J. Pbïai and J. C a s t e l l a x o (Anal. Fis. Quim., 1932, 30, 224—227).—In accordance with the tendency to preserve osmotic equilibrium it is found that the successive increase and decrease of blood-sugar following oral administration of glucose are accom
panied by a decrease and increase, respectively, in blood-Cl', whilst when NaCl is injected intravenously there is an analogous, but smaller, inverse variation of blood-sugar with blood-Cl'. R. K. C.
Reducing substances of blood. Glucose and.
non-ferm entable reducing substances. R. J.
P i c k a r d (Bull. Soc. Chirn. biol., 1932, 14, 598—
613).—With nephritic blood hyperglyeæmia may occur without increase in the non-fermentable fraction. The part played by glutathione in the non-fermentable reducing fraction was investigated.
F. O.H.
Effect of am ino-acids on blood-sugar. I.
K a x a i (Biochem. Z., 1932, 248, 383—388)—In
rabbits intravenous administration of NH2-acids (glycine, glycylglycine, alanine, glutamic acid hydro
chloride, asparagine) and of mixtures of NH2-acids (hydrolysed vegetable protein and hydrolysed easein- ogen) leads to increases of up to 40 mg. per 100 c.e.
in the blood-sugar, these increases usually being proportional to the amounts of material given.
If the administration is peroral the amounts of material must be greatly increased (2—5 times) m order to produce the same results, which are irregular in both cases. Of the acidsused hydrolysed vegetable protein had the greatest, glycine and glycylglycine the least, effect on the blood-sugar. W. M.
Factors influencing the blood-sugar level of dairy cattle. R. E. H o d g s o x , W. H. R i d d e l l , and J. S. H u g h e s (J. Agric. Res., 1932, 44, 357—3 6 5 ).- The blood-sugar val. (mg. per 100 c.c.) of calves decreases from about 100 at one week to a mean level of 53 at 2 years, and is subsequently uninfluenced by age. Vais, are temporarily increased by excite
ment or by administration of glucose, and are higher
B IO C H E M I S T R Y . 76.5
in cows and heifers during oestrus. No change accompanies feeding, but fasting causes a depression.
W. G. E.
Changes of hlood-sugar in decapods. E. C.
S t o t t ( B io c h e m . Z., 1 9 3 2 , 248, 55— 6 4 ).— T h e b lo o d - s u g a r o f d i f f e r e n t f a s t i n g d e c a p o d s (C a r c in u s m aencts, P o rlu n u s d e p u ra lo r, P . p u b e r , E y a s a r a n e u s , C a n cer p a g u ru s) is v e r y s m a ll b u t in c r e a s e s v e r y g r e a t l y b o th o n f e e d i n g a n d o n m o v i n g t h e a n im a ls o u t o f 0 2.
P. W. C. "
P lasm a-catalase. Y. T a k i z a i v a (Tohoku J.
Exp. Med., 1931, 18, 223—238).—Ligation of the bile duct increases plasma-catalase; bile constituents appear -within 0-5 hr. The red cells become more resistant to hannolysis and the serum inhibits the hoemolytic action of saponin. C h . A b s .
Appearance of invertase in blood-serum or urine after parenteral injection of sucrose. E.
A b d e e h a l d e n and S. B u a d z e (Fermentforsch., 1932, 13, 228—243).—After parenteral injection of sucrose into dogs, the urine contains invertase but not proteolytic defence enzymes. On renewal of the injection the invertase reappears more rapidly than at the first injection. J. H. B.
Appearance of lactase in blood-plasm a or -serum or in urine after parenteral injection of lactose. E. A b d e e h a l d e n and S. B u a d z e (Fcr- mentforsch., 1932, 13 , 291—297).—After parenteral injection of dogs with lactose a lactase appears in the blood-plasma or -serum and in the urine. Con
siderably less inversion of sucrose is observed.
J. H. B.
Specificity of defence enzym es u sin g fibrinogen and fibrin or peptones of high m o l. w t. prepared from these. Species, age, and sex specificity.
E. A b d e e h a l d e n and S. B u a d z e (Fermentforsch., 1932, 13, 166—200).—After subcutaneous injection of fibrin or fibrin peptones, proteases- are produced in the blood-plasma or -serum or urine, sp. for the fibrin employed. An age- and sex- in addition to species-specificity is observed. Proteases are present in fibrin from whipped blood and are unsp. They are absent from pure plasma unless induced by injection of protein or fibrin, in which case they are sp. The unsp. proteases are inhibited and the sp.
are accelerated by serum. The whipped blood proteases arise from cell decomp.; they are inactive after boiling. Boiled fibrin is hydrolysed by serum or urine of pregnancy, but not by that of non- pregnant persons- or by animal serum. J. H. B.
Significance of electrolytes of the axons of nerve fibres. A. B. M a c a l l u m (Austral. J. Exp.
Biol., 1932, 9,159—172).—A review of micro-chemical methods for demonstrating the occurrence of inorg.
ions (K, Cl, P04, Fe, and possibly Na) in the various parts of nerves and a discussion of the significance
of results obtained. W. M.
Brain and nutrition. E. S c h m i t z (Biochem. Z., 1932, 247, 224—245).—Tables summarise the fresh wt., the H20 and dry substance contents, and the distribution of phosphatide, cholesterol, and cerebros- me in the two hemispheres of the same animal (guinea- P’gs, rabbits, cats), the lipin fractions in cats being
obtained with normal nutrition and after adminis
tration of lecithin. P. W. C.
Chem istry of the antigen of brain. I. H.
R u d y (Biochem. Z., 1932, 248, 426—436).—-Antigen from brain (ox) is freed from phosphatides and cerebrosides by pptn. with CdCl2 and from cholesterol by extraction with Et20. After removal of the phosphatides and cerebrosides (and without removal of the sterol) adsorption on A1(0H)3 and elution with EtOH leads to further purification. Chemical examination of the purified material has not revealed any connexion between composition and activity.
W. M.
D eterm ination of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters in m uscle. E. B a u e e (Z. physiol. Chem., 1932, 208, 1—8).—The pulp is dried by mixing with Na-2S04, extracted with COMe„ and then -with Et20', and the free cholesterol determined by digitonin pptn.
The ester is hydrolysed by NaOEt and the cholesterol determined by the digitonin micro-method (A., 1923,
ii, 344). J. H. B.
Lecithin. V. A. P e r t z o f f and M. A i s n e r (IJrus- vati J., 1932, 2, 133—148).—Various arrangements of the fatty acids in egg lecithin give a possibility of IS different lecithins from this source. A lecithin free from cephalin may be obtained by extracting the CdCl2 derivatives with solvents, EtOH-CCl4 rtnd -C 6Hg mixtures being the most effective. The pro
ducts are mixtures, since their solubilities depend on the amount of solid phase present. Indications of the presence of lecithins with only one fatty acid were obtained. The Cd in the CdCl2 derivatives may be determined by electrolysis, which may also be used to recover the lecithin. A. A. L.
Determ ination of choline is anim al tissues.
A. B o l a f f i (Annali Chim. Appl., 1932,22, 205—220).
—The procedure consists in adding HAuCl4 soln.
before evaporation. This prevents decomp, during subsequent concn. Choline is then pptd. from the alcoholic concentrate by phosphotungstic acid. The ppt. is decomposed with Ba(OII)2, Ba is pptd. by excess of H2S04, and from the acid solution cholino is pptd.
as choline periodide by I-K I reagent. The periodidc is titrated with 0-01Ar-Na2S203 in CHC13 solution.
The errors are >2% in defect. O. F. L.
Acetylcholine in w arm -blooded anim als. IV.
C. B i s c h o f f , W. G e a b , and J. K a p f h a m m e r (Z.
physiol. Chem., 1932, 207, 57—77; ef. A., 1931, 1320).—From all the organs and tissues (except the uterus) of cattle examined acetylcholine was isolated as Reinecke salt. It was present in human placenta.
The amount present in whole animals (guinea-pig, dog, cat, rabbit) was isolated and determined.
J. H. B.
Glycogen and w ater storage in the liver. H. L.
P u c k e t t and F. H. W i l e y (J. Biol. Chem., 1932, 96, 367—37 1).—The livers of albino rats, killed after being fed on varying diets, show const. H20% with varying quantities of glycogen. Hence glycogen retains proportionally as much HaO as the non
carbohydrate solids of the liver. H. D.
Glycogen and water storage in the liver. E. M.
M a c K a y and H. C. B e r g m a n (J. Biol, Chem., 1932,
766 B R I T I S H C H E M IC A L A B S T R A C T S . A .
96, 373—380).—The % of H20 in the livers of rabbits fed on varying diets showing different glycogen con
tents is relatively const. H. D.
G lycogen and w ater storage in the liver. E. M.
B r i d g e and E. M. B r i d g e s (J. Biol. Chem., 1932. 96, 381—386; cf. A., 1931, 1325).—The validity of the deductions of Puckett and Wiley and of MacKay and Bergman (preceding abstracts) is questioned, and the authors reaffirm that from the data available it is unjustifiable to define an exact relationship between glycogen storage and the H„0 content of the liver.
H. D.
P ig m en t of the skin of the gold-fish. A . We is s- b e r g e r and H. B a c i i (Naturwiss., 1932, 20, 350).—
The pigment from the dried scales and fins of gold-fisli
(C a r a s s in s a u r a tu s ) is completely extracted by light petroleum giving a golden-yellow solution exhibiting the characteristic carotenoid reaction with SbCl3.
The residue left on evaporation of the solvent reacts with atm. 0„ to give a colourless product.
W. R. A.
Pigm entary system and the Dopa reaction. E.
B o y d (Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 1932, 52, 218—235).—
The colour produced in solutions of 3 : 4-dihydroxy- phenylalanine by oxidation with H20 2 increases with concn. of the substrate, is max. in presence of a suitable concn. of H20 2, increases with rise of temp, over the range observed (0—55°), and is increased by NaOH, but decreased by HC1. The deposition of the pigment is max. at p n 7-4. The Dopa oxidase reaction may be used in the analysis of the genetics of the pigmentation of animal hair. W. 0. K.
Staining of fixed cell-structures. G. Y a m a h a
(Sci. Rep. Tokyo Bunrika Daigaku, 1932, B l, 1—21).
—Staining is not affected by fixatives in low concn.
but, in more conc. solution, HgCl2, EtOH, and CH20 intensify the colour, whilst CC13-C02H and HN03 diminish it. The p a of the fixative has an appreciable effect. Fixation with EtOH+AcOH allows good differential nuclear staining. P. G. M.
Union of biocolloids. V. S. JT. v o x P r z y l e c k i
and S. K i s i e l (Biochem. Z., 1932, 247, 1—7).—Part of the uric acid of tissues is readily removed by washing and part must first be liberated by hydro
lysis, the amount of the two fractions being very different for different tissues. A method for deter
mination of these fractions is described and applied to hen’s and human muscle and liver. P. W. C.
Com position of gu m from silk of B o m b y x m o r i .
E. A b d e r h a l d e n and O. Z tx m s te i n (Z. physiol.
Chem., 1932, 20 7,14 1—146).—The NH2-acids present in silk-gum differ from those of the fibroin. In the former
,T(
—)-tryptophan andZ(+)-norvalineare present.Oxidation of the gum with HN03 gave nomosaccharic and saccharic acids, indicating the presence of chitos- amine and probably of glycuronic acid. J. H. B.
State of calcium and of phosphoric acid in cow 's m ilk . C. P o r c h e r and J. B r i g a x d o (Compt.
rend., 1932, 194, 1539—1541).—The colloidal residue when milk is filtered through a porcelain candle, and consisting of caseinogen together with Ca and H3P04, was redispersed (1) in the filtrate and (2) in distilled H20. The resulting suspension was coagulated by
rennin in case (1), but not (2) until sol. Ca salts were added. The results of Piottre (cf. this vol., 78) are criticised on the grounds that dialysis against solu
tions of Na salts may by double decomp, alter the state of the Ca combined with the casein. W. O.K.
Caseinogen com plexes and calcium caseino- phosphates in m ilk . M. P t e t t r e (Compt. rend., 1932, 194, 1988—1991).—Mainly a reply to Porcher and Brigando (preceding abstract). The deduction that all the colloidal phosphate in milk is not in the same degree of micellar aggregation is confirmed
(this vol., 78). J. W. B.
Application to m ilk of J o lie s’ reaction for indican. C. H e r v i e u x (Compt. rend., 1932, 194, 1603—1604).—Pure thymol in the absence of indoxyl does not give a colour under conditions employed in Jolies’ reaction (cf. Porcher and Tapernoux, this vol., 295) but impure thymol may do so. In the presence of pure lactose a reddish tint is developed in the reaction; hence modification is necessary in the
application to mille. W. 0. K.
Occurrence of uncoupled bile-acids in human bile. R. S o h ô n h e i m e r , E. A n d r e w s , and L.
H r d i n a (Z. physiol. Chem., 1932, 208, 182—184).—
In a case of human biliary fistula with biliary cir
rhosis of the liver, considerable amounts of uncoupled bile-acids (cholic and deoxycholic acids) were isolated from the bile in cryst. form. J. H. II.
Relation of bile-acid form ation to fat and carbo
hydrate com ponents. L. S c h i n d e l (Arch. exp.
Path. Pharm., 1932, 166, 36—41).—An unsuccessful attempt was made to influence bile-acid 1 secretion by feeding 3- and 4-C chains (succinic, fumaric, pyruvic acids and dihydroxyacetone). J. B. B.
Participation of the spleen in the formation of bile-pigm ent. Cause of tolylenediam ine icterus jaundice. T. N a e g e l i and F. M e y t h a l e r (Arch, exp. Path. Pharm., 1932, 165, 571—582).—In dogs the concn. of bilirubin in the splenic vein and in the peripheral circulation rises during and after stasis of the blood in the spleen. The spleen thus appears to play a rôle in the genesis of bile-pigments, at least under pathological conditions, but in this function it is closely associated with the liver. Blockage of the circulation of the spleen results in an abnormally low degree of jaundice after tolylenediamine poison
ing. The jaundice produced by tolylenediamine is probably of the resorption type and the spleen plays an important rôle in its production. W. 0. K.
H ydrolysable phosphorus compounds of saliva and urine. F. A x m a c h b r (Biochem. Z., 1932, 248, 231—242).—The presence of hydrolysable P in saliva and urine is detected, and from the rate of hydrolysis, the presence of at least two P fractions is suggested, one of which probably arises from the conversion of H4P20 7 into H3P04. Oral administration of Na4P207 increases readily hydrolysable urinary P. When Na4P20 7 is intravenously infused into animals, although the blood-P increases by >100%, only a small part (7-2%) is excreted in the urine and most is therefore either hydrolysed or combined. ^_An enzyme which hydrolyses pyrophosphate at p n
is detected in saliva but not in urine. P• W. 0.
B IO C H E M I S T R Y . 767
Urinary acid-base balance. C h a t r o n (J. Pharm.
Chim., 1932, [viii], 1 5 , 510—527).—The production of iSTHg by the kidney is considered to he an attempt to neutralise abnormal amounts of any acid and not, as postulated by Goiffon, primarily of org. acids.
P. G. M.
Determ ination of bases, particularly m agnesia, in urine. R. N i c o l a y s e n (Biochem. Z., 1932, 2 4 8 ,
278—279).—A method for the determination of Na, K, Ca, and Mg in small amounts of urine is described.
W. M.
Occurrence of m ethylam ine in urine. R.
K a p e e l e r - A d l e r and K. T o d a (Biochem. Z., 1932, 248,403-425; cf. A., 1931,1185).—The NHgMe in dogs’
urine is partly of endogenous and partly of exogenous origin and its amount is doubled as a result of a diet rich in meat. NH2Me,HCl, given perorally, is des
troyed in the organism and such administration of arginine does not lead to increase in the NH2Me content of the urine. Betaine, given by the mouth, is apparently partly demethylated, since it leads to increased excretion of NH2Me, and such excretion is increased three- to six-fold by giving creatine or creatinine. In man, male urine contains less NH2Me than does female and the NH2Me content of the urine is affected by various physiological and pathological conditions, but is independent of the total N excretion.
It follows that, in addition to creatinine, NH2Me is a biological degradation product of creatine. W. M.
Occurrence of pyridine derivatives in norm al urine. W. L i n n e w e h and H. R e i n w e i n (Z.
physiol. Chem., 1932, 2 0 7 , 48—56).—Trigonelline [with which Kutseher’s gynesine (A., 1906, ii, 875) is probably identical] was isolated from various samples of normal urine. The occurrence of methylpyridin- ium hydroxide was confirmed. J. H. B.
Determ ination of “ uroselectan ” in urine. J.
P u y a l and I . T o r r e s (Anal. F Is . Quim., 1932, 30, 222—223).—Addition of A-HC1 to the urine ppts.
“ uroselectan acid ” (5-iodo-2-hydroxypyridone-JV- acetic acid). This is removed, and the filtrate is titrated with NaOH. The difference between the titre and that before injection indicates the amount of “ uroselectan,” 0-029 g. corresponding with 1 c.c.
0-liY-HCl. R. K. C.
Sugar of norm al urine. I. The phenyl- osazones. M. R. E v e r e t t and F. S h e p p a r d (J.
Biol. Chem., 1932, 96, 431—441).—Phenylsemicarb- azide was isolated from normal urine by treatment with NIIPh-NH2; this substance was probably confused with a pentosazone by other workers.
Increased concn. of urine, increased acidity, prolonged heating, and the previous formation of HCNO by hydrolytic procedures all favour phenylsemicarbazide
formation. H. D.
Identification of glucose and lactose in urine by the osazone reaction. E. J. B i g w o o b and J.
S x o e c k (Bull. Soc. Chim. biol., 1932, 1 4 , 570—597).
—For the detection of glucose and lactose by osazone formation in untreated urine the presence of at least 0-2 and 1-0% respectively is necessary. A technique for the formation of the osazones using NHPh-NH2,HCl in AcOH-NaOAc solution is described, The urine
(5 c.c.) is first pptd. with Hg(OAc)2 or Lloyd’s reagent and preliminary reduction tests before and after fermentation are performed. Urine giving a positive Benedict test may be utilised directly for the osazone test; a glycosuria < 0 -1—0-2% necessitates preliminary treatment. For the recognition of lact- osazone in lactosuria associated with glycosuria a recrystallisation of the osazone derived from non- pptd. urine is essential; in addition consideration must be given to the fermentation test. The crystal habits of osazones from normal and pregnancy urines
are described. F. O. H.
Behaviour of hom ogentisic acid in norm al and alkaptonuric sera. R. Hu r t h l e (Z. klin. Med.,
1 9 3 1 ,1 1 9 , 1 4 — 1 8 ; Chem. Zentr., 1 9 3 2 , i, 8 3 2 ) . —The degradation of homogentisic acid depends on the but not on the nature, of the solvent; it is un
attacked in acid solution. A. A. E.
Synthetic hom ogentisic acid. G. Ka t sc h and R. Hu r t h l e (Z. klin. Med., 1 9 3 1 , 1 1 9 , 1 0—1 3 ; Chem. Zentr., 1 9 3 2 , i, 8 3 5 ) .—Synthetic homogentisic acid is chemically and biologically identical with acid isolated from alkaptonuric urine. A. A. E.
Beri-beri and neuritis. H. H. Woollard (Aus
tral. J. Exp. Biol., 1 9 3 2 , 9 , 1 7 3 — 1 7 8 ) .—Although there are significant differences between the results of deprivation of food and those of deprivation of vitamin-/! only, there is no satisfactory evidence that, in the second case, toxic factors are involved. Ex
perimental deprivation of the vitamin does not cause characteristic neuritis nor are nervous manifestations an essential feature of such deprivation. W. M.
Cancer-producing substances. J. E. Nyrop
(Protoplasma, 1 9 3 2 , 1 5 , 2 9 4—3 0 0 ) .—In many cases carcinogenic agents arc active only when particles of C etc. are also present. Low-boiling tar is not, whilst tar produced at 8 5 0 ° is, carcinogenic. Sub
stances with a low energy of ionisation, e .g., GH2Ph-OH, should be effective therapeutic agents, since they protect the glycolysis-producing centres by adsorption.
P. G. M.
M etabolism of tum ours. III. Phosphatases.
S. Ed l b a c h e rand W. Kotscher (Z. physiol. Chem.,
1 9 3 2 , 2 0 7 , 1— 1 5 ; cf. A., 1 9 3 1 , 1 1 8 0 ) .—The activity of the nucleotidase of liver and tumours is increased by COMe2 extraction of the tissue. The COMe2 removes an inhibitor of the enzyme. HCN, cysteine, glutathione, and Cu" also inhibit nucleotidase. The natural inhibitor may be glutathione. The nucleo
tidases of liver and mouse carcinoma behave similarly with regard to inhibition and activation by COMe2.
The activation of nucleotidase in liver-pulp shown by HCN, cysteine, and glutathione at concns. < M/ 3 3 3 may be due to the high heavy metal content of this organ. The hexosephosphoric acid fission by liver is less strongly inhibited by HCN and practically unaffected by cysteine and glutathione, in contrast to the coiTesponding enzyme of mouse carcinoma which behaves like the nucleotidase in respect of
inhibition. J. H. B.
Presence of tyrosine and other free am ino- acids in a non-pigmented naevocarcinoma. R.
Mo n c e a u x and H. Go dard (Compt. rend., 1 9 3 2 ,
768 B R I T I S H C H E M IC A L A B S T R A C T S .— A .
194, 1987—1988);—The presence of free tyrosine (and small amounts of other NH2-acids) in a non- pigmented nacvocarcinoma was proved by isolation after extraction with H20-CHC13. Maceration with glycerol showed the absence of oxidases, thus account
ing for the non-conversion of the chromogen into
melanin. J. W. B.
N orm al tissu es as a possib le source of inhibi
tors for tum ours. J. B. Mu r p h y and E. St u r m
(Science, 1932, 75, 540—541).—Extracts from normal tissues, the placenta, and embryo of the mouse showed an inhibiting effect in carcinoma grafts on the mouse with one type of carcinoma but not with
another. • L. S. T.
Fat o f d e r m o id cysts. A. Dim t e r (Z. physiol.
Chem., 1932, 208, 55—61).—The fat of dermoid cysts contained 7-5% of cerebrosides, 20-9% of unsap'onifiable matter, and 20% of a hydrocarbon which is probably squalene. J. TEL B.
E xam ination of the fat of derm oid cysts for substances of special biological im portance. G.
Be h m el (Z. physiol. Cliem., 1932, 208, 62—66).—The fat of ovarian dermoids contained much steryd ester.
Saturated sterols were present; unsaturated, absent.
Monoglyceryl esters could not be detected. Ergo- sterol was indicated by its colour reaction and the biological action of the irradiated fat. Vitamin-A
Monoglyceryl esters could not be detected. Ergo- sterol was indicated by its colour reaction and the biological action of the irradiated fat. Vitamin-A