Plasma Protein Pattern in Cirrhosis of the Liver

Abstract

In 40 cases of liver cirrhosis in a quiescent state the plasma level of 21 proteins was determined. The acute phase reactants, haptoglobins and orosomucoid were normal or decreased, while α₁-antitrypsin, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein were slightly increased or normal. Prealbumin, prothrombin and β₂-glycoprotein I were most frequently subnormal. Of the plasma proteins studied prealbumin seemed to be the most sensitive indicator of the impaired liver function. The mean α₂ -macroglobulin, IgA and IgG were doubled but in many cases the values were normal. a₂-macroglobulin and albumin synthesized in the liver seemed to vary independently of each other also in hypoalbuminemia.

Key Words:

• liver cirrhosis
• alcoholics
• blood proteins
• immunoelectrophoresis