Nature of Serum Protein Changes in the X-Irradiated Dog

¹ From the Biochemistry Branch, U. S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, San Francisco, California

Serum protein, lipoprotein and glycoprotein patterns have been studied in irradiated dogs, using paper electrophoresis techniques. Alpha-1 globulin lipid decreases in the terminal stages following fatal doses of x-radiation, this change reflecting a loss of lipoprotein. Considerably increased levels of alpha-2-3 globulin lipid and polysaccharide in extremely sick or dying dogs results from increased concentrations of lipoproteins and glycoproteins. Decreased alpha-4 globulin polysaccharide is a function of a loss of glycoprotein, while slight increases of beta globulin lipid reflect gains of beta lipoproteins. The loss of alpha-4 and gain of alpha-3 glycoproteins, have been found as early as 10 days prior to irradiation death, and in the absence of lipoprotein or body temperature abnormalities. In dogs surviving irradiation doses near the ld₅₀, transitory lipoprotein changes are slight, while glycoprotein derangements are more pronounced. Mechanisms underlying these various changes are discussed.