ON THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN PLASMA PROTEINS: ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSES IN SELECTED PATHOLOGICAL STATES

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The pattern of human plasma proteins has been determined by electrophoretic analysis in 160 cases representing various pathological conditions. The concentration of albumin was lower than normal in 83% of the cases examined and the depression was most marked in cases of malnutrition and nephrosis. It is interpreted as indicative of the use of serum albumin as a reserve protein pool and of deterioration in the nutriture of persons who are ill. A rise in the level of fibrinogen was observed in 55% of the cases, frequently in the absence of infection. The constancy of α1-globulin between 0.25 and 0.50% was notable. The concentration was lowered in lymphatic leukemia and chronic hepatitis, and raised rarely. There were greater fluctuations in α2-globulin; a rise above 0.9% occurred in lymphatic diseases, nephrosis, and bone and joint conditions. A fall below 0.5% occurred only in hepatic portal cirrhosis. The level of β-globulin was relatively constant. It was raised most notably in nephrosis and disturbances of the bone marrow. Frequent fluctuations of the γ-globulins were observed, and a rise occurred most constantly in chronic hepatic infection and disturbances in the bone marrow but not in lymphatic diseases. Some evidence is presented showing the level of γ-globulinas inversely proportional to the number of lymphocytes. The importance of some unidentified cells of the bone marrow as a site of the origin of plasma proteins is stressed, with respect to α2-,β-, and γ-globulins.