Specific plasma proteins as indices of inflammation during a modified fast in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Fourteen patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis and 7 healthy controls underwent a modified fast, containing diluted fruit and vegetable juices, for a 10-day period. To evaluate the effect of fasting on the inflammatory activity, plasma protein determinations were performed before and on the 10th day of fasting. Both patients and healthy controls developed reduced plasma levels of complement factor 3 (C3), orosomucoid and haptoglobin, although only the decrease in C3 and orosomucoid was greater in the patient group. An unchanged level in plasma of albumin, IgG, IgA, IgM and complement factor 4 was found. We conclude that determination of C3 and orosomucoid in plasma may be useful as indices of inflammation during fasting conditions.