Plasma kallikrein clearance by the liver of normal and injured rats.

We report the clearance of rat plasma kallikrein (RPK) by the perfused livers of normal rats and from others at 2 and 4 days after subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil. RPK removal from the perfusate follows a logarithmic curve (y = a+b lnx) and from this equation its half-life of removal can be calculated. RPK clearance rate followed the potential equation y = axb. Both the half-life of RPK removal and RPK clearance rates were similar in the 3 groups of perfused livers. We conclude that, at the initial concentration of RPK used (approximately 3 nM), its liver clearance is not affected during the acute-phase response to inflammation.