Bernardo Houssay was an Argentine physiologist and Nobel Prize laureate known for his pioneering research on pituitary hormones and glucose regulation. He was the first Latin American Nobel laureate in the sciences. His research, particularly on the diabetogenic influence of anterior hypophysis extracts and the reduction in diabetes severity achieved through anterior hypophysectomy, garnered him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1947. Beyond his scientific breakthroughs, Houssay significantly advanced scientific research and medical education across Argentina and Latin America.
Early Life and Academic Journey
Bernardo Alberto Houssay was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 10, 1887, to French immigrant parents. He showed exceptional intellectual abilities early on, completing his secondary education by the age of 13. At 14, he enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Buenos Aires, graduating in 1904.
He then pursued medical studies at the same university from 1904 to 1910 and earned his medical degree at 23. While still a third-year medical student in 1907, Houssay began working as a research and teaching assistant in the Department of Physiology. His 1911 doctoral thesis, “Studies of the Physiological Action of the Pituitary Extracts,” earned him a university prize and established his research focus.
In 1910, he became a professor of physiology at the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. From 1913 to 1919, he also served as Chief Physician at Alvear Hospital and directed the Laboratory of Experimental Physiology and Pathology in the National Department of Hygiene. In 1919, Houssay was appointed Professor of Physiology in the Medical School at Buenos Aires University, where he organized and directed the Institute of Physiology, making it an internationally recognized research center.
Pioneering Research and Nobel Recognition
Houssay’s research focused on the pituitary gland’s role in carbohydrate metabolism. His work built upon the 1921 isolation of insulin and explored other hormones involved in glucose regulation. He focused extensively on the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis.
Houssay’s experiments demonstrated the diabetogenic effect of anterior hypophysis extracts. Injecting these extracts into animals induced hyperglycemia, similar to diabetes. Conversely, surgically removing the anterior hypophysis (anterior hypophysectomy) decreased diabetes severity in animals.
His studies on pancreatectomized animals, known as “Houssay dogs,” were significant. He showed that in animals with induced diabetes from pancreas removal, the condition improved if the adenohypophysis was also removed. These findings led him to conclude that the anterior pituitary contained substances that counteracted insulin, contributing to glucose elevation.
His groundbreaking discoveries on the pituitary hormones’ role in glucose regulation earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1947. He shared this award with Carl Ferdinand Cori and Gerty Cori, recognized for their work on carbohydrate metabolism. Houssay’s research provided fundamental insights into hormonal feedback mechanisms governing blood sugar, laying the groundwork for modern endocrinology and diabetes research.
Navigating Political Adversity
Houssay faced significant political challenges, especially during Argentina’s Peronist government. In 1943, the government deprived him of his university post. This dismissal resulted from his outspoken advocacy for democracy.
Despite losing his position at the University of Buenos Aires and his laboratory, Houssay demonstrated remarkable resilience. He continued research at the privately funded Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, organized with support from the Sauberan Foundation. He maintained his scientific commitment during this difficult period.
He received numerous invitations from institutions abroad, but chose to remain in Argentina. After the Peronist government was deposed in 1955, Houssay was reinstated to his academic position at the University of Buenos Aires. He continued to lead the Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, demonstrating his dedication to scientific inquiry despite political interference.
Shaping Scientific Development
Beyond his research, Houssay significantly fostered scientific development in Argentina and Latin America. In 1919, he founded the Institute of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires. Under his guidance, the institute became a globally recognized center for physiological research.
Houssay was a dedicated educator and mentor, training a generation of scientists who held prominent positions in research and education across the continent. His influence extended to the creation of scientific infrastructure and a robust research culture. He co-authored “Human Physiology” in 1945, a treatise widely translated and used in medical schools throughout Latin America, popularizing science in the region.
He also conceived, founded, and directed the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research in Argentina, aimed at nurturing scientific careers and retaining national talent. Houssay’s efforts had a lasting impact, inspiring many to pursue careers in science and contributing to the advancement of medical science throughout Latin America.