Methods and Models Used in Quantitative Studies of Circulating Proteins

Abstract

Circulatory systems as studied in this chapter consist of an intravascular (plasma) compartment which may be connected to some extravascular compartments. Each compartment contains a well-mixed pool of protein. It is assumed that the system is originally in steady-state conditions while at time t=0 some process starts resulting in intravascular release of protein. This input process may vary from a single inj ection of a bolus of radio-labeled protein to a long-lasting change in the rate of synthesis of the protein considered. Due to the input of protein, the plasma protein pool P(t) and the extravascular protein pool(s) E_i(t), i = 1,2…n will change in time. The main problem stud ied in this chapter is to calculate cumulative release of protein into the plasma, between t=0 and time t, from the changes in P(t) measured in the course of time.