Word: steroided
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...sense into it." This method led him, by 1945, to the isolation of coenzyme A, one of the most important trigger chemicals in the body. Dr. Lipmann has shown that his coenzyme is a factor in the body's production of vital substances such as fatty acids and steroid hormones. Some researchers hope that it may help to track down the cause of cancer, but Dr. Lipmann says modestly: "Our type of people really don't think much about practical things...
...mechanism appears to be located in the busy little adrenal glands, which secrete steroid hormones (like cortisone), said Dr. Edmund R. Clarke Jr. of Seattle's Firland Sanatorium. He and his colleagues tested the adrenal output of 109 TB patients. In general, those with abnormally low steroid levels had widespread, active tuberculosis; those with near-normal levels had the commoner, less extensive form of the disease, while others with high levels had localized but stubborn infections...
Then, said Dr. Clarke, it was found that the low steroid levels marked the patients who were depressed, apathetic and withdrawn. The near-normals were alert, cooperative and interested in their surroundings. The above-normals were ridden with conflicts and anxiety and often showed such other signs as fast heartbeat, quick changes in blood pressure and sweating of the palms...
...adrenals pour out extra steroid hormones in times of stress or anger. How this can work to bring the depressed patient's steroid output up to normal was described by Dr. Clarke in case histories...
...Syntex process produces, along the line, whole classes of promising steroid compounds. Some of them have been found in adrenal glands, but in quantities too small for practical experimenting. Now, says Syntex, these "cortisone precursors" can be made in any amount desired. Some of them may prove more potent biologically than cortisone itself...