alpha-Macroglobulins (alpha Ms) were isolated from the serum of injured rats through a two-stage method: gel filtration and ultracentrifugation. 2. The clearance rates of rat plasma kallikrein (RPK) and alpha Ms-RPK complexes were compared in an isolated rat liver perfusion system: the alpha Ms-RPK complexes are cleared at a much slower rate (half-life ranging from 24 to > 120 min) than does RPK itself (half-life ranging from 13 to 18 min).