Changes in Muscle Water and Composition Induced by Protein Depletion in Rat at Two Environmental Temperatures

Abstract

Changes in the water and electrolyte composition of muscle during the development of protein depletion in the rat were studied. Extracellular fluid space as measured by ECl increased markedly without significant changes in the total muscle water. The displacement of intra-cellular fluid by extracellular fluid was accomplished with significant change in the electrolyte composition of the intra-cellular phase. No evidence of "intracellular edema" was obtained. A reasonably high degree of inverse correlation between ECl or thiocyanate space with the level of plasma proteins was found. The increase in thiocyanate space in protein-depleted animals exposed to low environmental temps. appears to be chiefly due to a more severe protein depletion.