Serum Tryptophane–Perchloric Acid Reaction as a Measure of Tissue Destruction

Abstract

SEIBERT and her colleagues¹, and other workers, found that the polysaccharide content of serum rises above the normal in certain pathological conditions, including tuberculosis and carcinoma, and it was suggested¹ that this increase is associated with tissue destruction. In view of the possibility that the carbohydrate was derived from nucleic acid, Seibert et al.² applied to serum the tryptophane – perchloric acid reaction of Cohen³, when they found a significant increase in the reaction in cases of tuberculosis and several types of carcinoma. The nature of the reacting substance is unknown; but Seibert et al. have produced evidence suggesting that it is derived from proteins. Presumably an increased reaction may also be regarded as being associated with tissue destruction.