Turpentine-induced decrease of alpha sub(1)-foetoprotein in the serum of the developing rat: A novel parameter of the inflammatory response

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 110; no. 3; pp. 796 - 803
• Main Authors: Savu, L, Zouaghi, H, Nunez, E A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1983
• ISSN: 0006-291X

The acute phase of an inflammation induced in young rats, at various ages between 1 and 21 days after birth, by a single subcutaneous turpentine injection, is accompanied by a 35%-45% decrease of the alpha sub(1)-foetoprotein serum concentrations. This fall is demonstrated with equilibrium dialysis binding methods, evidencing the loss of about 1/3 of the high affinity estrogen binding sites characteristic for the rat foetoprotein, as well as by specific immunoassay of the foetoprotein concentrations. This negative response is coincidental with classical inflammatory changes of the plasma proteins, similar to those defined in adults: in particular the authors evidence 5 to 10 fold rises of haptoglobin, as early as the first post-natal day.