Maria Kasparow

Corticosteroids in human brain

Abstract A recent report from this laboratory showed that human nerve tissues contained large quantities of cortisol (1). The present paper describes the characterization of cortisol, tetrahydrocortisol, (3α, 11β, 17α, 21-tetrahydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one; THF) and 11β, 17α, 20β, 21-tetrahydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one (20β-DHF) from whole human brain.

Cortisol from Human Nerve

Cortisol was found in myelinated nerve fibers of the lumbo-sacral plexus (2.0 to 6.0 �g per gram of tissue) and in the sympathetic chain with dorsal root ganglia (0.2 to 0.4 �g per gram of tissue).

Determination of specific activity of isotopic materials by thin layer chromatography

A modified method for determination of specific activity by thin layer chromatography (TLC) is described. Based on in situ spectrodensitometry after separation by TLC, the method is rapid and requires amounts of reference material in the microgram range.

Isolation of 20-hydroxycorticoids from incubated human adrenal tissue (1,2)

Abstract The isolation and identification of the steroidal glycols: 11β,20β,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3-one (20β-B) (I); and 20β,21-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,11-dione (20β-A) (II) from extracts of incubated human adrenal tissues is described. In addition, the characterization of 17α,20β,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 11-dione (20β-E) (III); and 20β,21-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3-one (20β-DOC) (IV) is reported. Only in tissues from patients with primary aldosteronism could 20β-B be identified from an individual adrenal gland.

Effect of time on production of cortisol by incubated human adrenal tissue

Abstract The data presented here serves to emphasize the effect of time on incubation of human adrenal tissue incubated in autologous plasma. Previous reports (1,2) have described the steroids isolated from this system. Many studies of tissue incubations carried out in synthetic media are of 3–4 hours duration. Results of a series of time course experiments indicate that times as long as 6 hours were insufficient when the incubation media was autologous plasma. Maximal yields of corticoid were obtained when the tissues were incubated under the usual conditions for 20–24 hours. This time was also maximal for incubations to which adrenocorticotropin was added.

A new system for paper chromatography of polar steroids

Abstract The new paper chromatographic system, isopropyl ether-ethylene glycol system, provides an improved and faster separation of steroids, particularly estrogens in paper chromatograms. The mobilities of a number of steroids are listed.

Isolation of cortisol from the brain of the rhesus monkey

Abstract Cortisol has been isolated from the brain of the rhesus monkey. The amounts per gram of wet tissue averaged 0.55 ± 0.06. This is in contrast to levels as high as 1–9 μg/g previously reported in human brain. Identification included infrared spectrometry.