Albumin synthesis in cirrhotic subjects with ascites studied with carbonate-14C.

The synthesis of serum albumin was measured in 19 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites. Carbonate-(14)C was used to label the guanido carbon of arginine in albumin.18 of the patients had the diagnosis of cirrhosis confirmed by biopsy and/or by the presence of esophageal varices. Seven patients with albumin synthesis rates of 42-105 mg/kg per day demonstrated the lowest serum cholesterol esters and highest serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels, while the seven patients whose albumin synthesis rates ranged from 203-378 mg/kg per day, had significantly higher cholesterol ester levels and significantly lower values for SGOT. The serum albumin levels were equally depressed in all patients. In patients with cirrhosis and ascites albumin production was found to be normal or elevated in seven of the 19 subjects, and only markedly depressed in seven patients, in spite of the fact that the serum albumin level was depressed in all patients.