GB496248A - Pancreas-derived product and process of producing it - Google Patents

Abstract

A fat-metabolism controlling substance is obtained from pancreas by extracting pancreas with a solvent for the substance, e.g. 60 per cent alcohol, removing the solvent from the extract and separating the bulk of the insulin from the extract by the action of a solvent in which insulin and the desired substance are differently soluble. Pancreas is extracted by adding alcohol of about 95 per cent strength in sufficient quantity to provide with the water content of the pancreas a concentration of about 60 per cent, the pH being about 4. The extract is then either evaporated to dryness and extracted with a fat solvent or the alcohol is driven off, whereby fat comes out of solution and the water solution is dried. The fat free residue of either process is taken up in water (or adjusted in aqueous solution) to contain 10 per cent solids and is then saturated with sodium chloride, whereby a precipitate is formed which is separated and taken up in alcohol of about 90 per cent strength. One and a half volumes of ethyl ether is added which produces a precipitate of the fat-metabolism controlling substance, the insulin remaining in solution. The dried precipitate may be used as such or may be further purified by taking up in water and adjusting to pH of 4 to 5,5, at which pH most of the insulin is insoluble. The precipitate is removed and the remaining liquid may be administered orally as such or may be evaporated to dryness. Specifications 203,778, 209,766, and 212,238, [all in Class 81 (i)], are referred to.