Serum glycoproteins in the liver diseases. II. Radioimmunoassay of alpha-1 acid glycoprotein.

A radioimmunoassay for human alpha1-acid glycoprotein has been developed. 97.8% of 125I-alpha1-acid glycoprotein prepared for the assay were immunoprecipitable with specific anti-sera against the protein. alpha1-acid glycoprotein concentration in sera from normal adults was found to range between 70 and 114 mg/100 ml, with a mean of 93. Fulminant hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or chronic active hepatitis with sublobular necrosis caused a significant lowering of alpha1-acid glycoprotein concentration. Sera obtained from patients with acute hepatitis in convalescence, chronic inactive hepatitis or primary biliary cirrhosis gave normal concentration of the glycoprotein.