Zone Electrophoretic Studies of Plasma Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Serum specimens (172) from 18 normals and 25 rheumatoid cases were subjected to zone electro-phoresis by a technique which is described in sufficient detail to serve as a guide. Fibrinogen and gamma globulin levels rise, the plasma albumin is reduced and the alpha and beta globulins remain unchanged in the diseases studied. The linear relationship between plasma fibrinogen and sedimentation rates was re-demonstrated. This would suggest the possibility of following the clinical course by zone electrophoresis, though technical difficulties limit its usefulness in this respect.