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Discrepancy between the Measurement of Thyroxine‐Binding Prealbumin Plasma Level and Binding Capacity in Protein‐Calorie Malnutrition
Author(s) -
Ingenbleek Y.,
Nayer Ph.,
Visscher M.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1975.tb02285.x
Subject(s) - transthyretin , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , radial immunodiffusion , immunology , antibody
. The measurement of thyroxine‐bindung prealbumin (TBPA) in protein‐calorie malnutrition by two different techniques leads to the recognition of an unexpected discrepancy. Whereas TBPA plasma levels as measured by immunodiffusion are markedly decreased to 29.3 % of the normal, those recorded by maximal binding capacity (TBPA cap ) are characterized by a wide dispersion. In the control group, the ratio between TBPA and TBPA plasma level is 9.1. In the malnourished group on admission, the same ratio is 30.0. The possibility of a qualitative effect in the tetrameric TBPA structure, with the binding of additional thyroxine (T 4 ) molecules on the secondary binding sites, has been investigated. This hypothesis has been discarded by Scatchard plot studies. The normal 1:1 molar ratio between TBPA and T 4 is unaffected in protein‐deficient patients. Discrepant results obtained for TBPA cap and TBPA levels appear to be the consequence of low plasma protein levels, leading to an artifact in the electrophoretic method.