Effect of Laparotomy and/or Starvation on the Plasma Rapid-turnover Protein Level in Rats

Plasma transferrin (Tf), transthyretin (TTR), and retinol-binding protein (RBP) have been proposed to be sensitive nutritional parameters. We investigated the effect of laparotomy and/or starvation on these plasma protein levels in rats. Starvation decreased the Tf, TTR, and RBP levels to 62.2%, 41.2%, and 52.0% of the initial values, respectively, until day 3, but then sustained the day-3 levels on day 4. In the starved and laparotomized rats, the TTR level on day 1 and the RBP level on day 2 were more decreased than those in the only-laparotomized rats. Recovery of the TTR and RBP levels in the laparotomized rats fed on a stock diet ad libitum was very slow. In conclusion, the plasma Tf, TTR, and RBP levels showed different responses according to the metabolic phase of starvation. Laparotomy affected differently each of these levels, but the decrease in these protein levels was mainly dependent on the nutritional condition of the laparotomized rats.