THE THYROTROPIC HORMONE 



excess of its initial weight); coincidently, the concentration of 

 glycogen is reduced to about one-fourth its former value 

 (Lederer, 1935). Both of these effects can be observed after 

 the basal metabolic rate has returned to normal but are less 

 pronounced as the rate falls below normal with continued in- 

 jection of the extract and the probable formation of "anti- 

 hormone." 



The metabolism of proteins or of substances related to pro- 

 teins is referred to in a few reports.'^ Schonholzer (1937) fed 

 casein to rats and relied upon the Unna-Pappenheim histo- 

 logical technic for recognizing protein in the liver. The in- 

 jection of 100-300 units of thyrotropic extract for 1-7 days 

 was followed by markedly diminished numbers or almost a 

 complete absence of the Eiweissschollen (but see also the re- 

 port of Liang and Wu [1937], who considered that a special 

 hormone is responsible for such effects). According to Biihler 

 (1935), thyrotropic hormone, by its action on the thyroid, in- 

 creases the rate of excretion of creatine and creatinine in the 

 dog but not in the rabbit. Maloberti (1936) believed that an 

 increase in the concentration of glutathione in the blood and 

 certain tissues of the guinea pig parallels the symptoms of 

 hyperthyroidism provoked by the injection of thyrotropic 

 hormone. Maloberti's results often were variable and would 

 be more convincing if he had secured more supporting data. 



Pugsley (1935) reported that thyrotropic hormone causes 

 a fall of approximately 35-50 per cent in the concentration of 

 serum-cholesterol in both rats and dogs. Injections were 

 made intraperitioneally, sometimes twice daily for as long as 

 8-10 days. Only total cholesterol was determined. The effect 

 could not be produced in one dog after thyroparathyroidec- 

 tomy. Rothschild and Staub (1935) were not able to detect 

 any effect of thyrotropic hormone on the lipoids of the blood 

 of rabbits. 



The relationship of the anterior pituitary, the thyrotropic 



'5 For reports dealing with the specific dynamic response in patients, see Sylla 

 (1935) and Mahaux (1936). 



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