474 V. CHEMISTEY OF PHOSPHATIDES AND CEREBROSIDES 



There is some indication that the cerebrosides may also be found in tis- 

 sues other than the brain. In Gaucher's disease, their appearance in the 

 Hver and especially in the spleen in relatively large amounts has been re- 

 peatedly noted. Moreover, Thierfelder and KJenk^ are of the opinion that 

 the cerebrosides are probably to be considered as general cell constituents 

 under normal conditions, since their appearance in a wide variety of normal 

 organs and tissues has been reported. The normal tissues in which they 

 have been found include the adrenal, ^^^ the kidney, ^'^-^^^ the spleen, ^^^■^^'' 

 the liver, ^^^ leukocytes from the thymus, ^^^ the lung,^^^ and the retina.'**'*' 

 Their relationship to the reproductive organs is indicated by the demon- 

 stration of their presence in egg yolk^^* and fish sperm. ^^^•''^^ Cerebrosides 

 have also been noted in the red blood cells, ^''^■**'- while their occurrence in 

 white cells is evident from their early demonstration in pus.^^^-^^^ Muller^**^ 

 has also reported their presence in sputum. The finding of cerebrosides 

 under pathological conditions such as hypernephroma^"^ and atherosclero- 

 sis of the aorta^"^ is of considerable interest. 



The occurrence of cerebrosides in plant sources has frequently been re- 

 ported. These include the fungi,^"^"^^^ such seeds as oats and rice,*^^'^^^ 

 and oak wood*^'*; however, the cerebrosides have not been prepared in pure 

 form. It is possible that impure preparations of phosphatides have been 

 mistaken for cerebrosides. 



There are certain properties which are more or less common to the various 

 cerebrosides. In general they are amorphous white substances, but when 

 pure they can be prepared in crystalline form. The properties and com- 

 position of the different cerebrosides correspond closely; therefore, their 

 separation and preparation in pure form are exceedingly difficult. They 



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