492 Origin and Destiny of Cholesterol in the Animal Organism. 



autolytic experiments afford evidence on the point, these organs are not 

 concerned with the synthesis of cholesterol in the organism. 



In column 8, we give the percentages of unsaponifiable matter. These 

 figures are probably a little too high, owing to the presence of traces of resins 

 which we have shown (1921, Gardner and Fox) are produced by the action of 

 alcohol on alkali during hydrolysis, but it will be noticed that the total 

 unsaponifiable matter is two to three times the weight of sterol precipitated 

 by digitonin. The composition of this unprecipitable portion is under 

 investigation. With the Burchardt-Liebermann reagent this substance gives 

 a reddish brown colour changing to green, in a manner similar to that of the 

 portion of the unsaponifiable matter of feces not precipitated by digitonin. 



Estimations were also made of the free and ester cholesterol present in the 

 fresh and autolysed tissue, but we do not give the figures at this stage of the 

 inquiry, because we think that the question of the presence of ferments capable 

 of hydrolysing or synthesising sterol esters, is better attacked by investigating 

 the effects of tissue extract on pure cholesterol esters. We may say, however, 

 that our results are in general agreement with those of J. H. Schultze, 

 previously mentioned. 



Conclusion. 



As far as autolytic experiments are concerned, there is no evidence that 

 either liver or spleen are the organs which have to do with the synthesis or 

 change of cholesterol, as maintained by Abelous and Soula, 



We take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to the Government 

 Grant Committee of the Eoyal Society, for help towards the expenses of the 

 research ; to Dr. Schryver, for kindly supplying a sample of pure cholalic 

 acid ; and more especially to Dr. Donaldson, of St. George's Hospital, for the 

 care and trouble he has taken in obtaining the post-mortem material ; and to 

 Dr. Rashleigh, for valued help in some of the earlier experiments. 



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