Metabolism of Plasma Albumin in Rats with Congenital Hyperbilirubinemia (Gunn)

Abstract

In vivo experiments were performed to study the incorporation of [¹⁴C]leucine into Gunn rat plasma albumin. A 44 per cent decrease in specific activity was observed in Gunn rat plasma albumin compared to normal. Non-albumin plasma protein in Gunn rats showed a 30 per cent reduction in specific activity. The specific activity of the total liver protein was found to be lowered by 27 per cent in the Gunn rat compared to normal. There was no difference in the concentration of free leucine in the liver of Gunn and normal rats. The specific activity of free leucine in the liver 10 and 60 minutes after intraperitoneal injection was higher in Gunn rats compared to normal rats. The plasma albumin concentration in Gunn and normal was found to be the same. There was no apparent difference in the half-life of [¹⁴C]-labelled albumin between Gunn and normal rats.

Key Words:

• Albumin synthesis
• albumin turnover
• bilirubin
• Gunn rats