TY - JOUR T1 - THE ABSORPTION OF POTASSIUM IODID BY PERFUSED THYROID GLANDS AND SOME OF THE FACTORS MODIFYING IT JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 557 LP - 576 VL - 7 IS - 5 AU - DAVID MARINE AU - H. O. FEISS Y1 - 1915/12/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/7/5/557.abstract N2 - Goitrous thyroids of dogs are perhaps the most easily perfused of all organs under conditions at all physiological. The method of perfusion was primarily utilized to ascertain whether salts of iodin were held in the surviving gland in quantities far greater than in other surviving tissues similarly treated, and if this was true, whether one could not partially involute actively hyperplastic glands in vitro as we know invariably happens in vivo—the changes in the living animal's thyroid being recognizable in from 36 to 48 hours. We have demonstrated the former, but the latter involves the grave difficulties of maintaining nutrition and of getting rid of products of metabolism. The technical and aseptic problems are readily overcome. We have little doubt that eventually it will be possible to partially involute an actively hyperplastic gland by some such method. The question of the absorption of other salts than iodin as for example bromides, arsenic, etc., has not been investigated. It is well known that following the administration of bromides the thyroid retains a part temporarily, but it produces none of the effects or activities of iodin. These experiments have also given an indication that the elaboration of iodothyreoglobulin is a slow and probably complex process, and it is hoped that further study will lead to a definite conception of the minimum interval of time required for its production. Such knowledge for the iodin protein combination might be applicable to other protein compounds with inorganic substances whose chemical nature and function are little understood. It was early recognized that the thyroid alone might not be able to transform KI into iodothyreoglobulin. This also is a subject for investigation. The fact that it is possible to wash out very small amounts of the stored iodothyreoglobulin from surviving glands and very large amounts from dying glands is of interest in connection with the old controversy whether the thyroid secretion passes out through the lymphatics or blood vessels. With the technique we have used it was possible to separate the products of lymphatic drainage from those of the blood, because the thyroid was placed in a glass box filled with Ringer's solution and without any connection with the blood except for the accidental leaks. Seyeral of these perfusions have gone for two hours with out the escape of any blood into the organ box, although many torn lymphatic trunks opened directly into the box. In the washout experiments no iodin was detected in the "organ box fluid" in those glands free from leaks and surviving. This evidence favors the view that the iodothyreoglobulin is given up directly to the blood stream. ER -