Abstract
1. Satake Yasutaro (1884-1959): Dr. Yasutaro Satake studied secretory mechanisms of adrenal glands, the work on which provided a solid evidence for the establishment of now-famous "alarm theory" advocated by W.B. Cannon (Y. Maruyama). 2. Jokichi Takamine: In September 1900, Takamine and Keizo Uenaka prepared a pure extract of active principle (Adrenalin; the first hormone) from the adrenal gland. The adrenal medulla is a unique model in neurobiology: adrenal chromaffin cells and sympathetic neurons are derived from a common sympato-adrenal precursor during embryogenesis (T. Kannno). 3. Sunao Tawara (1873-1952): Dr. S. Tawara discovered the atrio-ventricular node (Tawara’s node) and the right and left bundles of the mammalian heart in 1906 and established a concept of “The Impulse Conduction System of the Heart” which enormously facilitated later progress of modern electrocardiology (M. Arita). [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S26 (2005)]
