Heart hormones

Abstract

1) The subject is introduced | 2) The work of Loewi and h is school on the substance produced by the agency of nerves i s reviewed | 3) An experiment which demonstrates the humoral transmissibility of the vagus-substance is described | 4) Extensions of the principles enunciated by Loewiare noted | 5) The work of Demoor on the "active substances" of the heart is summarised | 6) A short review of Haberlandt's work on the "herzhormon" is given | 7) The work of Zwaardemaker and his school on "automatine" is briefly reviewed | 8) Experiments of the author on the "active substances" of Demoór are described | 9) Demoor's fundamental experiment is confirmed | 10) Evidence is offered in support of the view that the rhythmicising factor in active-substance extracts is not adrenaline or the acceler­ator substance of Loewi.11) The effects of active substance extracts are not due to histamine | 12) An experiment confirming Demoor's views as to the effect of temperature on the active substances is described | 13) It is shown that aqueous extracts of skeletal muscle have an action comparable to the "sensitising action" of active-substance extracts | 14) Blood serum and defibrinated blood have an action similar to skeletal muscle extracts | 15) Lecithin, saponin and albumen sensitise the left auricle to adrenaline | 16) Aqueous extracts of whole suprarenal will rhythmicise the isolated left auricle | 17) The theory of the humoral action of the "active substances" is criticised, and an alternative interpretation of the experimental findings is offered | 18) The work on the heart hormones is discussed generally and lines for future work indicate | 19) The question of the classification of the "heart hormones" is briefly discussed.