Variation of serum alpha2-macroglobulin concentration in healthy rats and rats inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus or subjected to surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study reported here was to investigate variations in the serum concentration of alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2M) from healthy rats and rats inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus or subjected to surgery.


METHODS
Concentration of alpha2M was measured by use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Serum alpha2M in healthy rats at intervals of 3 h, 1 day, and 1 week ranged from 17.5 to 38.0 (mean +/- SD, 27.2 +/- 6.6) microg/ml, 15.8 to 48.2 (27.9 +/- 8.7) microg/ml, and 17.2 to 39.6 (23.9 +/- 5.9) microg/ml, respectively. Concentrations of alpha2M did not undergo significant variations within individuals or between rats. Serum alpha2M concentration increased at one day and peaked two days after inoculation with S. aureus or being subjected to surgery. Peak concentration was eight to 33 times preinoculation values after inoculation with S. aureus, four to 25 times pre-surgical values when rats were subjected to castration, and seven to 28 times pre-surgical values when rats were subjected to oophorohysterectomy, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Physiologic variation in the concentration of alpha2M in rats was not found. Induction of alpha2M in rats inoculated with S. aureus or subjected to surgery was documented.
Jinbo
T
T
Laboratory of Immunology, College of Environmental Health, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Motoki
M
M
Yamamoto
S
S
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D051381:Rats / Q000097:blood*; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins