Immunoglobulin and Albumin Turnover in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Bendixen, G., Goltermann, N., Jarnum, S., Jensen, K. B., Wceke, B. & Wcstergaard, H. 1970. Immunoglobulin and Albumin Turnover in Ulcerative Colitis. Scand. J. Gastroent. 5, 433-441.

Simultaneous turnover studies by means of radioiodine-labelled IgG, IgM, or albumin were made in 14 cases of ulcerative colitis, 10 of which also received ⁵⁹Fe-labelled iron for assessement of intestinal protein loss, which was absent in 2 and moderate in 8 cases. Serum albumin was inversely correlated to the catabolic rate of albumin. Albumin synthesis was normal in the majority of cases. No characteristic change of serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM was present. However, the fractional catabolic rate of IgG was elevated in 9 of 14 patients, and that of IgM in 2 of 3. The synthetic rate of IgG was increased in 7 of 14 cases, IgM synthesis was normal. The results are compared with previous studies in 22 cases of Crohn’s disease. Cellular hypersensitivity to colon or small intestinal antigens estimated by means of the leucocyte migration test was present in 4 of 9 cases of ulcerative colitis, but in none of 10 cases of Crohn’s disease.

Key-words:

• Albumin, IgG, IgM turnover
• cellular hypersensitivity
• Crohn’s disease
• protein loss