PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Webb, J R
AU  - Cooper, E H
AU  - Forbes, M A
TI  - Serum alpha-thiol protease inhibitor concentrations in health and disease.
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.40.2.221
DP  - 1987 Feb 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 221--225
VI  - 40
IP  - 2
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/40/2/221.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/40/2/221.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol1987 Feb 01; 40
AB  - Serum alpha-thiol protease inhibitor (alpha-TPI) concentration was assayed by radial immunodiffusion in normal subjects, pregnant women, and in a wide variety of diseases. The normal concentration (448 (SD 75) mg/l) increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in pregnancy to 575 (89) mg/l, and in prostatic cancer treated by oestrogens to 666 (87) mg/l. Inconsistent changes were observed in inflammatory and malignant disease and in liver disease. A temporary pronounced fall of alpha-TPI was seen after burn injury, and a sustained fall after bone marrow transplantation. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis showed that the serum alpha-TPI occurred in two forms, with alpha 2 and alpha 1 electrophoretic mobilities. A heavy demand on this antiprotease may result in suppression of the alpha 1 form.