Protein synthesis in the tumour-bearing rat

The rates of protein synthesis in liver, muscle and tumour of animals bearing either a rapidly growing (7288c) or slow-growing (5123c) hepatoma were determined. Liver protein synthesis was increased whilst, in contrast, protein synthesis in muscle decreased. Tumour protein synthesis comprised between 15% and 43% of total body protein synthesis. Since food intake of tumour-bearing animals was not significantly different from that of controls, these changes were not attributable to an anorexic component of the tumour-bearing state but may reflect a systemic tumour-mediated effect.