Serum proteins in hepatic disease.

The serum protein changes occurring in liver disease associated with parenchymal damage are characteristically decreased in serum albumin and increased in gamma globulin levels. Beta-gamma bridging in the electrophoretogram is highly characteristic of hepatic cirrhosis. Variation of alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta fractions is inconstant and is not of great diagnostic or prognostic value. The increase in gamma fraction is polyclonal in nature and is due first to increase in IgM fraction followed by an increase in IgG fraction. Elevation of IgA fraction is not as constant or prominent.