In vivo behaviour of gamma globulin preparations

Metabolic properties of standard gamma globulin (St-GG) and of several gamma globulin (GG) preparations for intravenous use were analyzed in radioactive tracer studies. The in vivo behaviour of St-GG was investigated in 16 probands and found to be comparable to that of normal IgG. The kinetics of the resorption of St-GG from intramuscular deposits, its elimination from the intravascular compartment and from the body were studied in 2 probands. Metabolic properties of GG preparations for intravenous use were compared with those of St-GG in 3-4 probands after simultaneous injection of 125I- and 131I-labelled tracer doses. Important differences in the half-times of intravascular survival, in the rates of catabolism and in the distribution in the body were noticed for most of the preparations for intravenous use except for an improved acid-treated (pH 4) GG, the in vivo behaviour of which was similar to that of St-GG.