Protein synthesis changes in the liver of piglets infected with Strongyloides ransomi

Abstract

In piglets infected with Strongyloides ransomi, the incorporation of 14C-L-amino acid into liver protein was increased on days 7 and 14 post inoculation (PI), while on day 21 PI it was distinctly below the initial values. There was an increase of reduced glutathione (GSH) on day 7 PI and a decrease on day 14 PI. At day 21 PI the values were still below those of the controls. The concentration of plasma Cl, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn decreased from day 13 PI. The plasma levels of Na, K, Fe and chloride returned to normal on day 23 or 29 PI, but the other electrolytes had not regained their normal values at the end of the experiment (29 day PI). There was no change in electrolyte concentrations in heart, kidney and skeletal muscle. In the liver the concentrations of Ca, Fe and Cu increased. In the spleen the contents of Ca and Cu increased, whereas the fat content distinctly decreased. The enzymes GOT, GPT, LDH, LAP, ICDH, ALD, AP, SP and γ-GT were measured in blood plasma. Only alkaline phosphatase (AP) decreased markedly.