A STUDY ON THE NARCOTIC ACTION OF THE SHORT CHAIN FATTY ACIDS 1

Abstract

Injection of the neutral-ized short chain fatty acids produces unconsciousness in experimental animals. The amount which will produce this response decreases with an increase in chain length. Further, the amount which will produce a loss of consciousness for a given fatty acid depends upon the concentration and the site of injection. The introduction of an (OH) group into the carbon chain reduces the narcotic action. There is no hemolysis from the amount of fatty acid which will produce unconsciousness. The fatty acid appears in the urine following injection, however, nephrecto-my does not alter the duration of the narcotic action. It is suggested that the mechanism of action at the cellular level may be the same as that in the fatty acid inhibition of yeast metabolism.