Metabolic Functions of the Endocrine Glands

Abstract

This attempt at a brief review of the contributions of the past year to our knowledge of the metabolic functions of the endocrine glands must of necessity be selective rather than all-inclusive. This is not only because of the number of papers which have appeared, but also because many of the findings cannot yet be related to the pre-existing knowledge. For these reasons it has seemed desirable to limit the present discussion to the most pertinent literature concerning the influence of the pancreas, the adrenal cortex, the thyroid and the anterior hypophysis on the metabolism of carbo hydrates, fats, and proteins respectively.Since it is possible to make only the briefest mention of the related work which appeared before the period under considera tion, the reader is referred to certain review articles published during this time. Van Dyke's second volume on the pituitary gland (144) covers the international literature on the subject from 1935 to 1938. Collip (28) has discussed the significance of the various active fractions of anterior pituitary extracts. The influence of the pituitary gland on carbohydrate metabolism has been re viewed by Young (154) , and of the adrenal cortex by Long and associates (83). Raab (110) has considered the relation of the hor mones to fat metabolism.It is understood that the interpretation of new observations will often depend upon one's previous conception of the funda mentals of the subject. The writer has recently summarized some of his views on carbohydrate metabolism (126, 127). THE PANCREAS A more complete understanding of the influence of other hor mones on carbohydrate metabolism still awaits final agreement as 1 Th e help of Dr. R. Levine in the collection of the material for t " his review is gratefully acknowledged.543 Annu. Rev. Physiol. 1941.3:543-572. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org Access provided by New York University -Bobst Library on 02/08/15. For personal use only. Quick links to online content Further ANNUAL REVIEWS

A Direct Measurement of Hepatic Glucose Production in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus

“…Especially in recent years, a compromise view has gained favor, namely, that both underutilization and overproduction are present. The literature dealing with this controversy is so vast that reference can be made only to reviews in which the opposing concepts are discussed (1,2,3).…”

The Group Variations of Body Build

“…(1) In both blood sugar and body weight regulation endocrine glands and nervous centers act on depot organs, in blood sugar regulation mainly on the glycogenreservesof the liver,in body weight regulationmainly on the fat reserves of the fat depots. The homeostatic regulation of blood sugar rests largely on the ability of the liver to remove glucose from the blood stream when the blood sugar level tends to rise, and release glucose into the blood stream when the blood sugar level tends to fall; and the maintenance of normal blood sugar level depends on the balanced action upon the liver of endocrine glandsof which the opposing influenceof the pancreas and hypophysis are the most prominent (7). In the homeostatic regulation of body weight the abilityof the fat depots to store and release fat plays an importantpart, and it is known that maintenance of normal body reservesrequiresbalanced actionof variousneuro-glandulacfactorson the fat depotsand other organsalthoughthe action of each of these factors is not yet defmitely known.…”

Role of the Endocrines in the Regulation of Blood Sugar1

“…In-'deed, some of the influence of the anterior pituitary described above may be exerted through these other glands (11,12). At any rate, deficiency or removal of the adrenal cortex or, conversely, the administration of potent extracts of this gland will lower or raise respectively the blood sugar level in a manner resembling what occurs when the pituitary hormone is varied.…”