THE EFFECTS OF PERIODIC CHALLENGE ON THE RESPONSE OF α2-AP GLOBULIN AND OTHER ACUTE-PHASE REACTANTS OF RAT SERUM TO TISSUE INJURY

Abstract

The effects of periodic challenge with turpentine on the concentration of the acute-phase reactants of serum were studied in young, adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats. The initial injection of the phlogogenic agent was followed by rapid and significant increases in the concentrations of plasma fibrinogen, total serum glycoprotein, serum complement, and the α₂-AP globulin and seromucoid fractions. Variable response patterns were observed on subsequent challenges and in the intervals between. The conclusion was drawn that the acute-phase reactants of serum do not respond in a uniform manner to repeated challenge with a phlogogenic agent, and by inference their synthesis must be regulated by several different mechanisms.