Protein Composition and Azorubin-Binding Capacity of Serum of Rabbits Subjected to Tourniquet Shock

Abstract

Traumatic shock was produced in rabbits by occluding both forelegs. The method gave 87% mortality 24 hrs. after removal of the tourniquets. The absolute concn. of total protein and albumin (avg. control values 6.1 and 3.6 g. %, respectively) were found to be decreased markedly in the sera of rabbits subjected to tourniquet shock (avg. values 4.6 and 2.4 g. %, respectively). The reduction in the serum albumin concn. was about 3 times as great as that of globulin. Electrophoretic and chemical (26.8% Na2SO4) detn. of albumin gave similar results in normal sera, not, however, in the sera of "shocked" rabbits. Serum nonprotein N was elevated in "shock"; practically no hemo-concentration could be demonstrated. The detn. of the relative composition of the serum proteins by electrophoretic analysis showed a lowering of the albumin in the "shocked" animals. The alpha-globulin components were increased. No marked change was observed in the relative beta-globulin concns. The avg. gamma-globulin values were reduced in "shock." The azorubin-binding capacity of the serum albumin was found to be decreased in the rabbits subjected to tourniquet shock.