Albumin synthesis in perfused liver of normal and nephrotic rats

Abstract

Synthesis of plasma albumin was studied in perfused livers of normal rats and rats with nephrosls induced by injection of the aminonucleoside of puromycin. Livers were perfused with whole rat blood, rat erythrocytes in buffer, or human blood. NaH14CO3 was administered either by continuous infusion or as a single dose. 14C incorporation into urea, total globulins, the carboxyl group of amino acids, and the guanido group of arginlne of hydrolyzed albumin were determined. Albumin synthesis was calculated from the specific activity of newly formed urea and the 14C yield in arginine. Albumin synthesis was also determined immunochemlcally. Results by the 2 procedures were in agreement. In normal rat livers perfused with whole blood, albumin synthesis was 10 mg/hr per 100 g body wt. and 6-7 mg when perfused with human blood or with erythrocytes suspended in buffer. In livers of nephrottc rats, albumin synthesis averaged 22 mg/hr per 100 g when perfused with whole rat blood and 15 mg/hr per 100 g when perfused with erythrocytes suspended in buffer.