Effect of Cortisone on Plasma Globulins in the Dog-Studies by Paper Electrophoresis.

Abstract

Plasma proteins and lipoproteins were determined by paper electrophoresis and chemical analysis. Plasma was analyzed from 6 control dogs, from 2 dogs receiving 200 mg of cortisone acetate for 10 days, from 2 on cholesterol supplements alone and from 4 after cortisone injection for 1-4 weeks in addition to cholesterol-feeding. A selective elevation of alpha-2 globulin to twice the normal value was noted in 6 instances where cortisone was given as contrasted to 8 where no steroid was injected. There was anassociated drop in beta globulin. The shift in plasma globulin distribution was not directly correlated with hypoalbuminemia or change in total protein. Moderate elevation of lipid fractions and increase in beta lipoprotein was noted after cholesterol-feeding and was more marked when cortisone was added. No significant change in lipids or lipoproteins was observed with cortisone alone for 10 days. The globulin changes were therefore not correlated with lipid alterations. The weight of the animals did not change. Similar effects on serum globulins were not observed in humans or rabbits receiving cortisone.