Sequential Changes of Plasma Proteins after Surgical Trauma

Abstract

The response of 18 plasma proteins after cholecystectomy has been followed up for 3 weeks. The acute phase reaction has been compared with that after mastectomy. The response to these tissue lesions were very similar but more intense after cholecystectomy. The finding suggest that a₂-macroglobulin may be used as an internal standard since no apparent changes appear. The concentration decreases during the first few postoperative days for albumin, α-lipoproteins, transferrin and prealbumin. No common cause is probable. C-reactive protein and antichymotrypsin begin to rise within eight hours. One day later orosomucoid, fibrinogen, haptoglobin and α₁-antitrypsin show a strong reaction. Hemopexin, β_1c-globulin, prothrombin, ceruloplasmin, Gc-globulin, α₁, easily precipitable glycoprotein, plasminogen and cold insoluble globulin showed a delayed reaction with a moderate increase within a week. The immunoglobulins show insignificant changes.

Key Words:

• Mastectomy
• cholecystectomy
• plasma protein
• immunochemical analysis
• acute phase reaction