Henry E. Weimer

A species comparison of serum proteins and enzymes by starch gel electrophoresis.

Summary The occurrence and distribution of serum enzymes and proteins in 7 mammalian species have been studied by means of starch gel electrophoresis and appropriate staining technics. Species differences were observed with respect to the presence, number, mobility, and concentration of components exhibiting various enzymatic activities. Similar observations were also made with respect to bands staining for protein. The technical assistance of Carl Howell and John A. Cogswell is gratefully acknowledged.

Effects of Protein Depletion and Inanition on Serum Glycoprotein Concentrations in the Rat.

Summary The effects of protein depletion and inanition on serum concentrations of total glycoprotein, seromucoid, albumin polysaccharide, globulin polysaccharide, total protein, albumin, and globulin and on hemoglobin and hematocrit values of blood have been investigated in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Significant decreases were observed in all serum constituents with the exception of the albumin fraction. The response of the protein-bound carbohydrates of serum was similar to that of the serum proteins. A marked hemoconcentration occurred in the fasted group. The results are not in agreement with the hypothesis that tissue degradation is responsible for increased serum glycoprotein concentrations.

Comparative effects of intramuscular injections of ACTH, cortisone, and saline on serum glycoprotein levels.

Summary The effects of intramuscular injections of ACTH, cortisone, and 0.85% sodium chloride on total serum glycoprotein, serum mucoprotein, and total serum protein levels of normal guinea pigs have been investigated. Statistically significant increases in total serum glycoprotein were observed in the ACTH- and saline-treated groups. Serum mucoprotein values were significantly elevated and the total serum protein values significantly decreased in the group which received saline. The conclusion was drawn that increased secretions of ACTH and cortisone are not directly responsible for the elevated total serum glycoprotein and serum mucoprotein levels following stress.

Influence of Adrenal Cortex on Synthesis of α2-AP Globulin of Rat Serum.∗

Summary The effects of cortisol administration on the α2-AP globulin response to tissue injury were studied in adrenalecto-mized, sham-operated, and intact rats. Ad-renalectomy significantly reduced the response to challenge. The response could be partially or completely restored, or suppressed depending upon the dosage of the hormone. It was concluded that the adrenal cortex has a permissive role in the synthesis of α2-AP globulin of rat serum.

Distribution of glycoproteins in normal human plasma.

Summary Five-ml samples of normal, human plasma have been separated by a low temperature-low salt-ethanol procedure into 4 primary fractions, I + III, II, IV + V, and VI. The concentrations of protein-bound carbohydrate (hexose) and of protein in whole plasma and the 4 primary fractions and the protein-bound carbohydrate content of sero-mucoid were determined. Fraction IV + V, of the primary fractions, contained the greatest amount of protein-bound carbohydrate and of protein. The percentage of protein-bound carbohydrate with respect to protein was highest in Fraction VI.

Effects of dilute acids on the chemical and immunochemical properties of human orosomucoid

Abstract 1. 1. Orosomucoid ( α 1 -acid glycoprotein, α 1 -seromucoid, seromucoide acide) was separated from human plasma by ammonium sulfate fractionation, and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. The final preparation was homogeneous by double diffusion analysis and immunoelectrophoresis at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. 2. 2. The purified glycoprotein was treated with dilute hydrochloric, perchloric, and phosphotungstic acids at 25°, and with dilute sulfuric acid at 100°. The products were studied by chemical, electrophoretic, and immunological methods. 3. 3. Treatment at 25° with 0.6 N hydrochloric or perchloric acids for 6 and 12 h, or with 5% phosphotungstic acid in 0.6 N HCl for 12 h, resulted in slight decreases in sialic acid content and electrophoretic mobility in proportion to exposure time, but had no discernible effect on antigenic character. 4. 4. Exposure to 0.01 N H 2 SO 4 at 100° for 1 h resulted in a 15-fold reduction in sialic acid content, and a 7% loss of fucose. Although the non-dialyzable product migrated with the mobility of a β-globulin, it nevertheless retained essentially all of the native proteins antigenic specificity. 5. 5. A fortuitously isolated orosomucoid preparation which possessed a sialic acid content 50% of normal, but which was otherwise chemically very similar to the chromatographically purified preparation was also studied. This material precipitated with highly specific anti-orosomucoid serum, gave agar gel diffusion reactions of complete identity with the native glycoprotein, but migrated as an α 2 -globulin upon electrophoresis at pH 8.6.

Effects of inanition, protein depletion and repletion on serum lactic acid dehydrogenase levels in rats.

Summary The effects of inanition, protein depletion and repletion upon serum lactic acid dehydrogenase (SLD), total serum protein and hematocrit values have been determined in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Significant increases in concentration of SLD concomitant with decreases in serum protein levels followed inanition and protein depletion. Upon repletion, subnormal SLD values occurred in groups fed a diet containing 17% or more of protein. Serum protein values for the groups were significantly increased. The results are discussed with respect to possible causes for observed changes.

Dietary protein and serum electrophoretic patterns of the adult rat.

Summary The effects of inanition, acute and chronic protein depletion and of repletion with several levels of protein on distribution of serum proteins in the adult rat have been investigated by filter paper electrophoresis. Decreases in the albumin, α1-, α2- and β-globulin fractions were observed following depletion regimens. Purified diets containing 17% or more of casein not only restored all values to normal, but elicited significant increases in total serum protein concentrations. A differential response of the α2-globulin fraction upon repletion occurred between groups previously subjected to acute and to chronic depletion. Significantly increased A/G ratios were found in groups repleted with a diet of natural products. Rate of depletion was found to exert a pronounced effect on hematocrit values.

Serum glycoprotein studies in experimental trichinosis

Abstract The effects of infection and reinoculation of adult female Wistar rats with Trichinella spiralis and of two different regimens of treatment with cortisone, upon the serum glycoproteins and proteins have been investigated. The extent of disease as indicated by larval counts was greatest in the groups subjected to cortisone treatment and reinoculation. Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit values occurred in all but one group of infected animals. Significantly increased serum glycoprotein concentrations were found in all animals but those treated with cortisone for 60 days and reflected primarily the increases in the polysaccharide moiety of the globulin fraction. Subnormal seromucoid values were found in all infected groups. The greatest alterations in serum glycoprotein and protein patterns occurred in the groups treated with cortisone and reinoculated. The results are discussed with reference to possible causes of the observed changes.

Serum Glycoprotein Concentrations Following Immunization in the Rabbit.

Summary The effects of primary immunization on the serum concentrations of total glycoprotein, seromucoid, γ-globulin polysaccharide, total protein, and γ-globulin protein in rabbits have been investigated. Statistically significant increases occurred in the polysaccharide and protein moieties of the γ-globulin fraction. Repeated injections of normal animals with sterile 0.85% sodium chloride subcutaneously, intravenously, and intraperitoneally were without significant effect. The results of the chemical analyses have been discussed with reference to electrophoretic studies.