Albumin and gamma-globulin tracer studies in protein depletion states.

Abstract

Human albumin-131 and [gamma]-globulin-125I were administered to human volunteers receiving varied protein diets. Low-protein diets apparently led to decreased albumin catabolism, reduction in the intravascular pool, probably increased transfer from the extravascular pool, and probably recued albumin synthesis, [gamma]-Globulin metabolism was not altered significantly. Rabbits fed low-protein diets behaved similarly. Plasmapheresis caused increased albumin synthesis with decreased catabolism. On this basis a hypothesis is proposed to account for changes that ensue when protein depletion is produced by dietary deprivation or plasmapheresis.