CHANGES IN HUMAN SERUM PROTEIN FRACTIONS WITH AGE AND WEIGHT

Abstract

Serum protein, serum cholesterol, and inorganic phosphorus measurements were determined for 160 adult males. Height, weight, and age data were also collected. The serum proteins were separated into six components in terms of their electrophoretic mobility: albumin, α₁globulin, α₂globulin, β₁globulin, β₂globulin, and γ globulin. Analysis of the results showed that serum globulin fractions and total serum globulin increase linearly with age (P <.01), and decrease as weight increases (P <.05). Total serum cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and free cholesterol were not related to serum globulin fractions. Inorganic phosphorus was negatively related to the globulin fractions (P <.05). Serum albumin did not change with age, weight, height, cholesterol, or inorganic phosphorus. Albumin and globulin fractions were significantly related to each other (P <.01).