News
I&N D U S T R I A L ENGINEERING Edition CHEMISTRY Published by the American Chemical Society
AUGUST 20, 1923
Vol. 1, N o . 16
"Intarvin" Another Triumph of Chemistry in the T r e a t m e n t of Diabetes Discovery of Synthetic Fat with Odd Number of Carbon Atoms May Revolutionize Diabetic Diet By RALPH H .
MCKEE
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Announcement of the discovery of " I n t a r v i n " marks another important advance in chemistry as applied to medicine. Chemically this new remedy for diabetes is glyceryl margarate, (Ci6H33COO)3C3H5, and depends for its efficiency on t h e fact t h a t margaric acid contains an odd n u m ber of carbon atoms, seventeen to be exact, instead of a n even number a s do all fatty acids present in the fats and oils furnished b y nature. Diabetes is one of the more common ailments of m a n , T h e diabetic is n o t able t o use starches a n d sugars. F a t s are partially digested b u t there is formed t h e objectionable group of acids containing 4 carbon atoms, butyric acid, oxy-butyric acid, a n d acetoacetic acid. I t is this last which breaks down t o give acetone, a substance t h a t shows in t h e breath a n d urine of diabetic patients. T h e presence of these acids gives rise to acidosis (ketosis) a n d with this acidosis goes t h e diminished ability of t h e blood t o absorb carbon dioxide and carry i t to t h e lungs for elimination. When death occurs, it ordinarily is d u e to acidosis and is gener-
ally preceded by a state of coma. Acidosis is always due t o faulty f a t digestion and never t o y \rbohydrate digestion. I n 1905 it ws^s suggested t h a t there were indications that, in the digestion of t h e fats after the first splitting off of glycerin from t h e fatty acid, t h e fatty acid was oxidized by t h e removal of 2 carbon atoms a t each step. This is known a s t h e beta oxidation theory of Knoop. Lately Dr. M a x K a h n , Associate in Biochemistry, Columbia University, a n d physician in charge of metabolic diseases a t B e t h Israel Hospital, New York, in studying over t h e matter, came t o believe t h a t if this theory is correct, then, if one would start n o t with a fat containing a f a t t y acid of even number of carbon a t o m s (Ci 8 H 26 02, C16H34O2, etc.), b u t with a n acid containing a n odd n u m b e r of carbon atoms (C17H34O2, C15H30O2, etc.), there should n o t be obtained on digestion a n acid containing 4 carbon atoms, t h a t is, the objectionable acetoacetic acid. A t considerable expense such odd n u m b e r e d (Cantimied
on page 2)
A u DJTORIUH!
M U N I C I P A L AUDITORIUM, M I L W A U K E E , W H E R E F A L L M E E T I N G OK A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L SOCIETY W I L L B E H E L D This buildinc reallv comprises six separate auditoriums, the smallest containing 300 sq. ft. of floor space and the largest 10,000 s q . ft. I t w i s erected a t a cost of one and a half million dollars in 1914. Mechanic Hall, i n t h e same building, is used for exhibition purposes and with its 40,000 square feet of space brings t h e total floor space of t h e building to 103,000 sq. ft.
A Greeting from the Mayor of Milwaukee On behalf of the citizens of Milwaukee, I extend a hearty welcome to the members of the American Chemical Society, a n d assure them the City will be proud of its distinguished guests. I trust t h e meeting will be numbered a m o n g t h e most successful a n d t h a t m a n y of the papers presented will bear fruit in t h e form of fresh conquests against sickness, disease a n d economic waste, as well as in t h e development of new a n d useful products contributing t o the happiness of mankind. Signed, DANIEL WEBSTER HOAN, Mayor.
Milwaukee Meeting Reminders T h e Hotels Committee wishes t o call attention t o t h e fact t h a t those expecting to a t t e n d t h e convention should m a k e their reservations immediately t o insure good accommodations. A t this writing very few single rooms are still available. Members will save postage b y n o t writing to t h e Hotel Pfister for single rooms, as there are absolutely n o more t o be h a d there. All those who can arrange t o share a double room with a friend, are requested to do so. Persons who do n o t wish to deal directly with t h e hotels, should write t o M. E . Manson, Chairman, Hotels Committee, Rundle Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wis., who will secure reservations for them. Members who expect t o h a v e t h e use of an automobile during t h e convention, can be housed a t a very good hotel, located in a residence district, t e n minutes drive from the scene of t h e meetings. The list of hotels a n d rates w a s published on page 2 of the J u l y 10 News Edition. Don't forget t o ask for a certificate when buying your railroad ticket a n d present it a t the registration desk a t Milwaukee whether you expect t o return b y t h e same route or not. T h e reduced railroad rates (one and one-half fare for round trip) will only be granted upon presentation of 250 certificates. I t costs you nothing t o obtain t h e certificate a n d it m a y save you and t h e other members one-half of t h e return fare. A street m a p of t h e City of Milwaukee will be found on page 10 of this issue.
