Effects of Food Restriction and Realimentation on Serum Proteins: Complement Levels and Electrophoretic Patterns

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Abstract
The effects of food restriction and refeeding on the hemolytic complement activity and electrophoretic patterns of the serum proteins of adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. Groups of rats, fed 50% of the food required for weight maintenance, were bled following weight losses of 12, 26 and 33%. Other groups were repleted following depletion and bled when their initial weight was regained. Complement levels became significantly decreased in the 12% depleted group, but increased in the 26 and 33% groups. Values for the repleted groups were in the normal range. The depletion regimen caused significant decreases in total serum protein, albumin, α1- and β-globulins while α2- and γ-globulin levels were either normal or increased. Total protein, albumin and α1-globulin concentrations remained significantly low in the repleted groups whereas α2- and γ-globulins were either normal or significantly increased. It was concluded that (a) in semi-starvation states there is a conservation of serum components which are involved in native and acquired resistance to infectious agents; and (b) albumin, α1- and β-globulins provide a labile reserve of proteins for tissue utilization and maintenance.