The Relationship of the Protein-Reserves to Antibody-Production

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions: The ability of protein-deficient adult white rats to fabricate anti-sheep cell hemolysin was compared with that of similar animals which had been supplied with high-quality dietary protein or a protein derivative (Amigen) for a few days prior to injection of antigen. The purpose of the experiments was to accomplish repletion of the depleted protein stores in order to enhance the capacity of the antibody-producing cells to synthesize antibody globulin. Hemolysin titers were determined at intervals after injection of antigen and were compared with those obtained in well-nourished control animals simultaneously injected with antigen. The results were as follows: Protein-repletion of protein-depleted rats by the feeding of high-quality protein, or a hydrolysate of a high quality protein led to a markedly increased output of hemolysin, evident as early as after two days of repletion and pronounced within seven days.The antibody-producing mechanism of rats is not permanently damaged even after feeding a low-protein ration for 191 days, and may be restored to nearly normal levels by the ingestion of adequate amounts of high-quality protein.Protein-repletion of protein-depleted rats may give a temporary increase in the rate of protein anabolism, even exceeding the normal rate in rats which have never undergone depletion.The daily ingestion of 5 mg of ascorbic acid by hypoproteinemic rats exerted no effect upon the output of hemolysin. Experiments are in progress to determine the effect of other vitamins upon production of antibody.