BLOOD PLASMA PROTEIN REGENERATION CONTROLLED BY DIET : I. LIVER AND CASEIN AS POTENT DIET FACTORS.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Nutrition

Background:

• Plasma protein levels are crucial for maintaining fluid balance and preventing edema.
• Plasmapheresis, a procedure involving blood plasma depletion, allows for controlled study of protein regeneration.
• Dietary protein composition plays a vital role in the body's ability to synthesize plasma proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different dietary proteins on plasma protein regeneration following plasmapheresis.
• To determine the efficiency of various protein sources (liver, casein, vegetable) in restoring plasma protein levels.
• To analyze the changes in albumin-globulin ratio influenced by diet and plasmapheresis.

Main Methods:

• Dogs underwent plasmapheresis to reduce plasma proteins to near edema levels.
• Animals were maintained on a basal diet (low vegetable, no animal protein) or diets supplemented with liver protein, casein, or vegetable proteins.
• Nitrogen balance and plasma protein production rates were monitored.
• Albumin and globulin levels were analyzed to determine the albumin-globulin ratio.

Main Results:

• Dietary protein significantly controlled plasma protein regeneration after plasmapheresis.
• Liver and casein proteins markedly increased plasma protein production compared to a basal diet.
• A protein reserve, potentially stored in the liver, was identified.
• Plasmapheresis on a basal diet led to an altered albumin-globulin ratio, which was normalized by liver or casein diets.

Conclusions:

• Dietary protein quality and quantity are critical determinants of plasma protein synthesis and regeneration.
• Liver and casein are highly effective in promoting albumin synthesis and restoring normal albumin-globulin ratios.
• The study demonstrates the body's capacity to store protein reserves for rapid synthesis when needed.