Albumin synthesis rates are not decreased in hypoalbuminemic cachectic cancer patients with an ongoing acute-phase protein response

Fearon, K.C.H., Falconer, J.S., Stuart, J., Slater, C.H., McMillan, D.C. , Ross, J. and Preston, T. (1998) Albumin synthesis rates are not decreased in hypoalbuminemic cachectic cancer patients with an ongoing acute-phase protein response. Annals of Surgery, 227(2), pp. 249-254.

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Abstract

Objective: To determine whether suppression of albumin synthesis contributes to the hypoalbuminemia observed in weight-losing cancer patients with evidence of an ongoing acute-phase protein response (APPR). Background Data: Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are known to downregulate albumin synthesis and increase acute-phase protein production in isolated hepatocytes. However, whether albumin synthesis is suppressed in hypoalbuminemic cancer patients with evidence of an ongoing acute-phase response is unknown. Methods: Albumin synthesis rates were determined in six healthy controls and in six weight-losing pancreatic cancer patients with an ongoing APPR using a flooding dose technique with [<sup>2</sup>H<sub>5</sub>]-phenylalanine. The presence of an APPR was defined as a serum C-reactive protein concentration > 10 mg/L. Serum cytokines (TNF, IL-6) and soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-R 55 and 75), along with serum cortisol and insulin, were also measured in both groups. Results: and increased serum C-reactive protein concentrations (72 [23-126] vs. <5 mg/L; p < 0.01) when compared with controls. TNF was not detected in either group. sTNF-R 55 levels were significantly elevated in the cancer patients (3.8 [1.9-8.1] vs. 1.2 pg/mL [0.9-2.2]; p < 0.01). Circulating IL-6, insulin, and cortisol concentrations were not significantly different between the groups. The intravascular albumin mass was lower (88 [56-93] vs. 133 g [105-177]; p < 0.01), but the intravascular albumin fractional synthetic rate was higher (13.9 [13.5-18.5] vs. 10.3%/d [71-11.3]; p < 0.01) in the cancer patients compared with the controls. The total intravascular albumin synthetic rate was, however, similar between the two groups (12.7 [7.7-15.7] vs. 11.7 g/d [8.5-18.7]; p NS). Conclusions: In weight-losing pancreatic cancer patients with evidence of an ongoing APPR, hypoalbuminemia is not caused by a decreased rate of albumin synthesis.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McMillan, Professor Donald
Authors: Fearon, K.C.H., Falconer, J.S., Stuart, J., Slater, C.H., McMillan, D.C., Ross, J., and Preston, T.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Annals of Surgery
ISSN:0003-4932
ISSN (Online):1528-1140

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