The Relationship of Serum Hexosamine, Globulins, and Antibodies to Experimental Amyloidosis1

Abstract

Secondary amyloidosis was consistently produced in rabbits by the bi-weekly subcutaneous injection of sodium caseinate. Elevated serum hexosamine concentrations were observed throughout the course of injection in all animals which developed amyloidosis, suggesting that amyloid may in part be composed of, or result from, this elevated serum hexosamine containing proteins. All globulins measured by paper electrophoresis were elevated before and during the deposition of amyloid as observed by serial splenic biopsies. Although the animals which exhibited the highest serum casein precipitable antibodies had large amyloid deposits, several animals developed definite amyloidosis without exhibiting circulating antibodies.