Suprarenal gland, adrenaline

Abel and Fuerth isolated independently the active principle from the suprarenal glands which were later on established as the same compound now known as adrenaline. It may be synthesized conveniently by several methods, but a very common process is described under ... 

Another class of substances of importance in the activity of the human body consists of the hormones, which are substances that serve as messengers from one part of the body to another, moving by way of the body fluids. The hormones control various physiological processes. For example, when a man is suddenly frightened, a substance called epinephrine (also called adrenalin) is secreted by the suprarenal glands, small glands that lie just above the kidneys. The formula of epinephrine is... 

Perman, E. S., The effect of the alcohol on the secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the suprarenal gland of the cat, Acta physiol scand. 44, 241 (1958). 

VON Euler, U. S., Franksson, C. and Hellstrom, L, Adrenaline and noradrenaline content of surgically removed human suprarenal glands, Acta physiol, scand. 31, 6 (1954). 

Adrenaline is the active principle of the suprarenal gland. It may also be prepared synthetically. Adrenaline acts as a base and can be titrated if present in sufficient quantity. The purity of the base can be determined by non-aqueous titration with perchloric acid (see p. 792), 1 ml 0-lN perchloric acid = 0 01832 g. 

Barker, Eastland, and Evers in a critical survey of the colour tests which have been proposed for the determination of adrenaline preferred the potassium persulphate reaction as being most specific and comparable with biological estimation when the necessary conditions, including control of temperature and pH, are observed. Rees confirmed the value of the persulphate method since it is applicable in the presence of ascorbic acid, which is present in fresh suprarenal gland. The following is the method recommended but modified for a spectrophotometric finish. 

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