PLACE OF DECONVOLUTION ANALYSIS IN PLASMA PROTEIN TURNOVER STUDIES

An exact solution is proposed for the equations derived by deconvolutional analysis of plasma protein turnover data, thus eliminating the need for an analogue computer. On the basis of analysis of experimental data in rabbits, by this and other methods, the ability of the technique to shorten the necessary period of experimental observations is examined. It is found that the extravascular/intravascular pool mass ratio cannot be determined in as short a time as it can by other methods. However, the fractional catabolic rate can be determined earlier than by traditional multi-exponential analysis. A modified method of calculating the overall fractional transfer rate between intravascular and extravascular pools is described which appears to be more reliable than other methods available.