THE DETERMINATION OF SULFHYDRYL GROUPS IN SERUM. II. PROTEIN ALTERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASE 1

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Abstract
The sera from patients with malignant tumors, lupus erythematosus, multiple myeloma, and miscellaneous diseases associated with abnormality of the serum proteins were investigated. A reduction in the albumin component with normal or increased globulin was observed but the peptide per mg. of N did not deviate markedly from the normal. The sulfhydryl per mg. of protein N or per peptide bond was subnormal in both the albumin and globulin components in 75% of these sera. It is believed that a metabolic abnormality related to protein formation exists in these disease states which is reflected in the low sulfhydryl values in the albumin and globulin fractions. The changes in the serum protein and the sulfhydryl values in patients who received ACTH or folic acid antagonist therapy are presented. The number was too small for generalization with respect to the mechanism of action of these agents.