METABOLIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR STUDIES OF PROLONGED INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN

Abstract

Human serum albumin was admd. intraven. to healthy, well nourished subjects as their sole source of protein for periods up to 1 month. The high sulfur concn. of albumin made the N/S ratio in the urine an index to whether albumin was being catabolized, or tissue proteins. Albumin is slowly catabolized, 10-20 days being required before N excretion begins to approach intake. In the meanwhile, plasma and lymph albumin concns. and plasma vol. increase. Congestive heart failure with edema, dyspnea, nausea, hepatosplenomegaly, cardiac enlargement, and mild hypertension may appear within a week on a regime of 75 g. of albumin daily.