Inhibition of the Liver and Plasma Protein Acute-phase Response in Mice by D-galactosamine

Local inflammation evoked in Swiss albino mice by subcutaneous injection of Celite resulted in a rise of liver tyrosine aminotransferase activity and plasma level of fibrinogen and seromucoid, while liver alanine aminotransferase activity and plasma level of fibrinogen and seromucoid, while liver alanine aminotransferase activity and the plasma level of albumin and total protein remained unaltered. By measuring the incorporation of [14C] leucine, stimulation of liver and plasms protein synthesis by Celite injection was demonstrated. Administration of D-galactosamine (2-5 mg/10 g body weight) inhibited the enhanced synthesis of liver proteins, and especially of trauma-induced synthesis of plasma fibrinogen and seromucoid. The inhibitory effect of galactosamine was most pronounced when the amino sugar was injected simultaneously with Celite and then protein synthesis was measured 6 h later. The results obtained support the idea that high doses of galactosamine inhibit transcription of trauma-inducible mRNA in the liver and thus block the acute-phase response.