Serum prealbumin levels in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZ)

The relationship between low serum prealbumin levels and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZ) was investigated. Pi typing was done by acid starch gel electrophoresis followed by crossed antigen-antibody electrophoresis and/or immunofixation. Serum prealbumin levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion. While the serum concentration of prealbumin was low in nine of the fifteen PiZ children, this could be explained by the presence of liver disease in eight of those patients; one patient was asymptomatic. In contrast, only one of the twelve adult PiZ patients exhibited a low prealbumin level, also due to liver disease. We conclude that there is no direct association between PiZ alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and low serum prealbumin levels in children or adults.