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Influence of Diet on Plasma Fibrinogen in the Chick¹

Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

conclusions

1. The plasma fibrinogen levels of growing chicks were influenced by the dietary regime. Synthetic diets containing 15% casein produced high fibrinogen levels while the consumption of a diet containing 30% of casein or a natural grain ration (20% protein) gave relatively low fibrinogen values. These changes in plasma fibrinogen were independent of the growth, and the level of total protein in the plasma of the chicks.

2. The total plasma protein of chicks consuming synthetic diets low in casein (protein deficient) or a casein-free diet, was reduced while the plasma fibrinogen was elevated. Fasting reduced elevated fibrinogen levels to the low levels characteristic of the adequate natural ration and lowered the total plasma protein.

3. When chicks consumed a natural ration to which was added relatively huge amounts of vitamin K, a temporary slight increase in plasma fibrinogen was obtained and this state persisted for 14 days.

4. While a synthetic diet containing 30% dried whole hog liver resulted in reduced total plasma protein and low fibrinogen levels, and eventually death, 30% whole dried beef liver induced elevated fibrinogen levels. A diet containing 15% casein and 15% whole dried beef liver failed to prevent the elevation in plasma fibrinogen obtained with the 15% casein diet.

5. The following substances did not influence the fibrinogen levels of chicks when they were added to either a basal synthetic diet or a natural ration: choline, brewer's yeast, liver fraction L, or alpha-tocopherol acetate.

6. It is suggested that the elevated fibrinogen levels reflect a metabolic disturbance of the liver in utilizing a dietary protein intake which is inadequate, qualitatively or quantitatively.

Manuscript received 2 November 1945.