Minor burns lead to major changes in synthesis rates of plasma proteins in the liver

The effect of minor burns on the rates of synthesis of plasma proteins in the liver was studied in white Buffalo rats. Burns of second to third degree, covering 0.8% of total body surface, were produced by short application of a hot piece of metal to the skin under ether anesthesia. Levels of mRNA in extracts from liver removed after 24 hr were measured by hybridization to radioactively labeled specific cDNA probes. The level of mRNA for major acute phase alpha 1-protein (also called cysteine proteinase inhibitor or T1-kininogen) increased 20-fold, that of fibrinogen mRNA 8-fold, and that of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA about 9-fold. The levels of albumin mRNA and transthyretin mRNA (also called prealbumin) decreased to about 80% of normal and the level of transferrin mRNA did not change significantly. Thus, although the percentage of burnt skin was only very small, a typical acute phase response of plasma protein synthesis in liver was observed.