THE EFFECT OF HYPERGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA ON ALBUMIN METABOLISM IN HYPERIMMUNIZED RABBITS STUDIED WITH ALBUMIN-I131*

Abstract

Hypergammaglobulinemia was produced in 7 female rabbits by the prolonged injection of a polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine. Albumin metabolism was measured with albumin-1131 during the control period and after 4-6 months of vaccine administration. In 4 rabbits albumin metabolism was re studied after the plasma protein had returned to normal and during an anamnestic response. Following primary immunization, albumin levels fell from a mean of 3.7 to 2.8 g/100 ml. Gammaglobulin levels rose from 0.75 to 3.8 g/100 ml. The albumin pool decreased 22% and albumin degradation decreased 17%. Following the anamnestic response albumin levels decreased from 3.7 to 2.2 g/100 ml.; the total albumin pool fell 27% from 3.3 to 2.4 g/kg. Albumin synthesis decreased 23%. The production of hypergammaglobulinemia results in hypoalbuminemia with a loss in total exchangeable albumin due to a decrease in albumin synthesis. The results of this study support the concept of an osmotic regulatory system controlling albumin synthesis.