SERUM ALBUMIN TURNOVER IN LAENNEC'S CIRRHOSIS AS MEASURED BY I131-TAGGED ALBUMIN 1

Abstract

The serum albumin turnover rate of a group of 11 cases of Laennec''s cirrhosis was studied by following the disappearance rate of intraven. admd. I131-tagged albumin. The cases of cirrhosis exhibited a longer half-time and slower turnover rate than the normal controls. In cases with serum albumin of 2.5 g.% or less the deviations from normal were more pronounced. The exchangeable albumin pool was not markedly below the normal, except in cases with pronounced hypoalbuminemia. Examples of other diseases with hypoalbuminemia were studied and the findings did not coincide with the picture observed in Laennec''s cirrhosis. Possible implications of the albumin turnover data are discussed.