Abstract
Conclusion
1. These studies indicate that acrolein combines directly with some portion of the protein molecule to produce a conjugate that can be employed in the specific detection of acrolein by qualitative immunochemical methods.
2. The basic molecular pattern of human and rabbit serum protein is not changed when combined with acrolein at 37°C for 4 days. The addition of molecules of acrolein, however, does change the configuration of the protein molecule without loss of species characteristics. This is shown by the failure to form antibodies when rabbits are injected with acroleinized rabbit serum, and also by the response of the rabbits injected with acroleinized human serum by producing antibodies that reacted not only against acroleinized human serum but normal human serum as well. These changes in the molecular configuration were specific for acrolein regardless of the basic molecular pattern used, as evidenced by cross reactions of antiacroleinized human serum with acroleinized serum of other species.
3. Foreign protein conjugates of acrolein are necessary to produce circulating antibodies that can be detected in a test tube.
Studies are now in progress on the detection of acrolein in the blood and tissues of individuals who have suffered burns.
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