Ted A. Loomis

Auricular Fibrillation Induced and Maintained in Animals by Acetylcholine or Vagal Stimulation

Animals pretreated with appropriate doses of anticholinesterase agents develop auricular flutter and fibrillation following injection of acetylcholine or vagal stimulation. Depression of normal sinoauricular nodal function facilitates induction of fibrillation. During fibrillation, additional injections of acetylcholine, or vagal stimulation, increase the rate of fibrillation. Atropine in small doses reverts the fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm.

Effect of Methionine Supplements on Hepatic Injury Produced by Carbon Tetrachloride

At the present time the experimental evidence demonstrates that supplements of methionine will decrease the degree of liver damage produced by toxic agents in protein-depleted animals. In animals receiving a normal protein intake of 20-per cent or 41-per cent casein, methionine supplements did not decrease the degree of hepatic damage produced by carbon tetrachloride as judged by serum phosphatase values or bromsulphalein retention.

Effect of Mapharsen on Bromsulphalein Retention in Normal Dogs.

Summary Fifty-nine per cent of 17 normal dogs developed an abnormal liver function after a single injection of 60 mg of Mapharsen. The dye retention occurred irrespective of dosage over a range of 2.7 to 9.1 mg/kg of body weight. Dogs showing hepatic dysfunction from an initial injection of Mapharsen, subsequently showed less dye retention or a complete return to normal on 2 subsequent injections. Dogs having a normal bromsulphalein retention after one injection of Mapharsen also showed a normal dye retention following two subsequent injections.

Functional and Fatty Changes in Liver During Chronic Vitamin B Complex Deficiency.

Summary A chronic vitamin B complex deficiency in dogs on a 41% casein diet produced a marked decrease in voluntary food intake, but liver function tests remained normal and liver sections showed no increase in fat. A similar chronic B complex deficiency using dogs on a 20% casein diet produced an abnormal liver function and fatty changes in liver biopsy specimens. These findings were absent in the inanition and normal control dogs. Therapy with yeast extract restored the liver function to normal and the fatty change in the liver decreased, even though protein and caloric intake were restricted.