PHENOL CONTENTS IN THE NORMAL BLOOD

Abstract

The results of all these experiments may be summarized ass follows:
1. In 100 ce. of the arterial blood, the quantity of the free phenol estimated by Theis-Benedict method is, 1.13mg on the average in a toad and 1.69mg on the average in a rabbit; in 100cc. of venous blood, the quantity is 0.9mg in a toad and 1.4mg in a rabbit. The individual difference between the free phenol contents is relatively small. (1.29, at its maximum, 0.89 at its minimum, and 1.13mg on the average in a toad, and 1.84 at its maximum, 1.60 at its minimum, 1.60mg on the average in a rabbit). On the contrary, the individual difference between the contents of the conjugated phenols are larger. (0.3mg at its maximum, 0.04mg at its minimum and 0.12mg on the average in a toad; 0.4 at its maximum, 0.2 at its minimum, and 0.27mg on the average in a rabbit-all estimated as phenols.)
There is some reason for thinking that an organism always changes phenols into conjugated phenols for self-protection, as. many scholars have reported. The reason for the existence of the free phenol in the arterial blood and the uniformity of its content is not to be sought in imperfect detoxication processes. The ex-istence of the free phenol in the arterial blood has a physiological significance, and we have to think that this detoxication makes definite the content of the free phenol in the arterial blood.
2. The increase in the height of muscular contraction is of the same grade as in the case of the injection of 0.5cc. of catecol of 100, 000 times, if we inject 0.5cc. (the free phenol in ultrafiltrate is 2.0 at its maximum, 1.4 at its minimum, and 1.7mg on the average per 100cc.) of ultrafiltrate of the serum from the arterial blood directly into the intra-muscles of the gastrocnemius soleus or the arterial vessel, during the registration of the maximum muscular twitch of the gartroc.-soleus stimulated by a rhythmic break induc-tion shock on the sciatic nerve of a rabbit. Perhaps this may be caused by a certain phenol in a free form in the arterial blood, but it is necessary to repeat further experiments before assuring this hypothesis. This may be the action of the diphenol or aromatic oxyacid but the phenol or paracresol, do not exist within the limit of demonstrable quantities.
Formerly, I reported in a paper that the free phenols deter-mined by Theis-Benedict's method are as phenol and paracresol, but now I take the liberty of correcting my former remarks.
In finishing my paper, I express my sincere thanks to professor Ishihara, who has guided me throughout my work and to Pro-fessors Itagaki, Kodama, and Masamune who have given me valuable assistance and suggestions.