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SUMMARY

From the information above, it can he concluded that a₁AG increases in response to a variety of stress situations, including trauma and disease, in all animals tested to date. Among adult animals, it is possible to establish a level consistent with homeostasis. However, at birth, there is some species difference with some animal species having high levels and others having low levels.

When the a₁AG level is high at the time of birth, animals appear to be more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Immunosuppressive activities of acute phase proteins have been widely described especially with supra physiological concentrations of haptoglobin, fibrinogen and a₁AG. The proteinase inhibitors as well as other acute phase proteins appear to diminish activation of macrophages or the effects of cytokines on target cells. Thus, with a gradual fading of the inflammatory reaction, acute phase protein levels return to normal as homeostasis is achieved. In cases where the scheme is disrupted such as with rheumatoid arthritis, various signs of acute phase response persist and can now be quantitatively measured by a test, referred to as a₁AG, that is both reproducible and relatively inexpensive.

Further controlled research protocols will contribute to a complete understanding of the potential uses of measurement of a₁AG.

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