Albumin and Immunoglobulin Turnover in Patients with Chronic Active Liver Disease Treated with Prednisone

Abstract

Albumin and IgG turnover were studied in 12 patients with chronic active liver disease before, and at a variable time interval during, prolonged prednisone treatment. Before treatment, serum albumin concentration was subnormal in 9 and albumin synthetic rate reduced in 6 and low normal in 4. Serum IgG concentration and IgG synthetic rate were increased in all patients. During treatment 8 patients improved or were unchanged, and 4 deteriorated. In the former group the mean serum albumin concentration and albumin synthetic rate increased significantly, in the latter both values decreased. Serum IgG concentration and IgG synthetic rate decreased in all but one during treatment. The changes were more pronounced in the former than in the latter group. The changes in serum concentrations and synthetic rates of albumin and IgG were significantly negatively correlated, both in the whole material, and especially in patients who improved. The synthetic rates of albumin and IgG were not correlated before or during prednisone administration. Corticosteroids probably inhibit antibody production and stimulate albumin synthesis in chronic liver disease by two separate mechanisms.

Key-words:

• Albumin
• cirrhosis of the liver
• IgG
• prednisone
• protein turnover