An improved immunoelectrophoretic methodology for the evaluation of protein caloric malnutrition.

An improved technique of two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis of serum proteins on gelatinized cellulose acetate for routine evaluation of protein nutritional state is described. The method, which allows the estimation of more than 30 protein fractions, proves extremely useful in monitoring the effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition and protein metabolic conditions. Sera samples from healthy subjects and cachectical neoplastic patients have been examined and preliminary results are reported.