[Changes of serum proteins after craniocerebral trauma - comparison of alpha 2 and alpha 2M (author's transl)]

Quantitive estimations of serum proteins, including Alpha 2M globulin, from 34 patients suffering from craniocerbral trauma have been carried out. The mean value curves over a period of two weeks following trauma are presented graphically. After severe injuries, depending on the size of the cerebral lesions, an increase in Alpha 2 of prognostic significance has been observed. Levels of Alpha 2M do not correlate directly with Alpha 2 globulin, and tend to fall initially. Falls in the first three days after injury may be prognostically significant from the point of view of the prediction of a lethal outcome. There are no significant changes in the levels of total protein, albumin, Beta globulin or Gamma globulin, but Alpha 1 globulin follows the curve of Alpha 2, although to a less marked degree. Correlations between serum protease activites and increases in Alpha 2 due to enzymatically active complexes are unconnected with Alpha 2M, a decrease in which indicates increased inhibitor activity and exhaustion of the inhibitor system.