Abstract
It is obvious that low plasma protein is one of the factors contributing to the production of edema. Possible mechanisms responsible for the hypoproteinemia of nephritis must therefore be given careful consideration. Besides the factor of proteinuria, a leak of protein through capillary walls should seem significant. Determinations have, however, not shown a great increase in the protein content of edema fluid.
It seemed possible, though, that significant amounts of protein might be lost through capillaries and then rapidly broken down by extravascular proteolysis. This question was studied by making simultaneous determinations of amino nitrogen, by the method of Folin, 1 of serum and transudates of patients with nephritis. (These determinations were not made in the postabsorptive state and therefore the serum amino nitrogen is probably higher than the average for the 24-hour period.)
It will be seen from Table 1. that there was no evidence of rapid extravascular proteolysis.
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