Pressor substances in arterial hypertension. III. Chemical studies on pherentasin.

Pherentasin, a material producing a prolonged pressor response in rats, has been procured from the arterial blood of hypertensive patients and purified. Pherentasin is of small molecular size, non-protein in nature, dialyzable, soluble in water and 90 per cent ethanol, and extractable into organic solvents from alkaline solution. It contains an amino group essential to activity, which is probably primary, and also contains an active carbonyl group. It has been found in concentrations up to approximately 20 gamma per liter of blood.