CORTIN, VITAL HORMONE OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX

Abstract

The cortex of the adrenal gland produces a hormone which is essential to life. Without it appetite fails, weight is lost and marked muscular weakness develops ultimately leading to prostration and death.

We have already described a method by which a dilute solution of this hormone can be prepared (1). The method is limited because the sodium chloride content determines the degree of concentration. An acidulated extract is saturated with NaCL. The hormone is carried down with the resulting precipitate. Ethyl alcohol (80 per cent) dissolves the hormone but coagulates the protein in this precipitate. The alcohol is removed by distillation in vacuo. Water is added to the residue to make the NaCL isotonic with the body fluids. Recognizing the limitation which the employment of NaCL put upon our product, we have been working on the use of solvents and are finally ready to report a satisfactory process.