The inter-relationship of thyroid hormones, vitamin A and their binding proteins following acute stress

The effects of surgical stress on the metabolism of the retinol-binding-protein-thyroxine-binding-prealbumin complex were investigated. The immediate postsurgical period was characterized by a rapid decline in the serum concentration of retinol, retinol binding protein and triiodothyronine and an increase in the 24 h urinary excretion of retinol, retinol-binding-protein and thyroxine. Similar, but less pronounced, changes were seen in other subjects suffering acute myocardial infarction but were not observed in normal healthy euthyroid males or in pre-operative euthyroid patients. The preparation of specific anti-retinol binding protein anti-serum and the use of this in 'monorocket' immunoelectrophoresis are also described.