Preparation of 131I-asialo-alpha1-acid glycoprotein

Alpha1-Acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) was prepared from a byproduct of the ethanol plasma fractionation by means of ion-exchange procedures. Immunoelectrophoresis suggested a high degree of purity; the purified protein contained 13.5% sialic acid and 17.8% hexose. The alpha1-acid glycoprotein was modified by removal of sialic acid with neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) followed by iodination with 131I. The purpose of the preparation, its potential use as a pharmacon for liver function studies in nuclear medicine is the subject of further study.