Observations on the function of peroxidase systems and the chemistry of the adrenal cortex: Description of a new carbohydrate derivative.

EIGHT years ago observations were made on the adrenalectomised animal which gave the impression that the adrenal cortex is in, some way involved in the mechanism of biological oxidation. A detailed study of the biological oxidation was begun in the hope that this study might lead to the understanding of the function of the interrenal system. Through several years different animal, vegetable and synthetic oxidising systems were studied [Szent-Gyiirgyi, 1924, 1, 2; 1925, 1, 2; 1927, 1, 21, but no connection could be found between these and the function of the adrenal cortex. Finally the peroxidase system was examined. Evidence is presented in the present paper that the adrenal cortex is connected in some way with this dxidising mechanism.