Influence of inflammation on serum concentration, molecular heterogeneity and drug binding properties of canine alpha-1-acid glycoprotein.

The concentration and the heterogeneity of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (alpha-1-AGP) and oxprenolol binding were determined in serum of healthy dogs and dogs with inflammatory disease. In inflammation, an increase in the mean alpha-1-AGP concentration from 0.47 to 2.85 g/l was accompanied by a reduction in the mean free oxprenolol fraction from 25% to 6%. alpha-1-AGP concentration and oxprenolol binding were inversely correlated. The heterogeneity of canine alpha-1-AGP remained essentially unchanged in dogs with inflammation and, in both these dogs and the controls, between five and seven forms with different isoelectric points and one single concanavalin A-reactive form were detected. It is concluded that in dogs, as in humans, oxprenolol binds to serum alpha-1-AGP. Changes in serum binding of oxprenolol during inflammation result from a change in the serum concentration of alpha-1-AGP rather than a change of molecular heterogeneity.