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Infusions of monosodium-L-glutamate into the rostral hypothalamus, believed to contain neurons mediating satiety, produced persistent hyperphagia and obesity, thus suggesting that a brain lesion had been produced. Similar infusions into the caudal hypothalamus, believed to contain unmyelinated axons of passage that mediate satiety, failed to alter food intake or body weight. Histological examination of the affected tissue confirmed the behavioral evidence that suggests that this technique spares axons but destroys cell bodies. Infusion of several other amino acids also damaged neurons while sparing axons of passage.

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SUMMARYA study of the isolated perfused pig liver has been made to assess function for hepatic assist and to provide baseline values for altering techniques in liver storage. In 23 analogous perfusions lasting 6 hours, pre-and post-perfusion tests of liver function were compared. These results suggest that during the perfusion period, cell-membrane integrity was maintained and that oxidative metabolism including gluconeogenesis was unimpaired. A rise in aspartate transaminase indicated some cellular damage and the fall in bile production was ascribed to altered solute load.Preliminary results from the J. S . Marais Surgical Laboratory suggest that there is good correlation between the biochemical assessment of liver viability and the capacity of the perfused liver to support life after transplantation into another animal. At this time, the latter procedure remains the ultimate test of liver function after perfusion.