⁹⁵Nb-labelled Albumin for the Study of Gastrointestinal Albumin Loss

Abstract

Preliminary studies have shown that ⁹⁵Nb-albumin is a suitable test substance for detection of gastrointestinal protein loss. In the present study further experience with ⁹⁵Nb-albumin is reported. Twenty-three patients including five with protein-losing gastroenteropathies received simultaneous intravenous injection of ⁹⁵Nb-albumin and ¹³¹I- (or ¹²⁵I-)albumin. The initial distribution volume and the degradation rate of the two labelled proteins were compared. When purified by passage through a DEAE column, ⁹⁵Nb-albumin yielded values which differed only slightly from those of ¹³¹I-albumin. Gastrointestinal ⁹⁵Nb-clearance was elevated in all patients with protein-losing gastroenteropathies. It is concluded that, with an improved ⁹⁵Nb-albumin preparation, data can be obtained on both albumin turnover and the size of an abnormal albumin loss in the gastrointestinal tract. However, further improvement of ⁹⁵Nb-albumin preparation technique is still desirable.

Key-words:

• Gastrointestinal system
• radioisotopes
• albumins
• proteins

Notes

Part of the work was carried out with the aid of the WHO project India 192 and the Research Contract Grants 280/RB, 280/R1/RB and 280/R2/RB from the International Atomic Energy Agency.