Comparison of Various Serum Protein Values in the Japanese and the Japanese-Americans Resident in the United States

Measurements were made of various types of proteins, that is α1-antitrypsin, α1-acid glycoprotein, α2-HS glycoprotein, haptoglobin, α2-macroglobulin, transferrin, C3, IgG, IgA and lgM, in the serum of the Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii and the Japanese-Americans living in Los Angeles who are assumed to be genetically almost identical to the Japanese in Hiroshima Prefecture but are known to have a higher intake of animal fats but a lower intake of complex carbohydrates. These were compared with those of the Japanese in Hiroshima Prefecture.
α2-macroglobulin values in serum of the male Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii of ages 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50-59 years were significantly lower than those of the residents in Hiroshima Prefecture, but no significant difference in these values could be observed between the Japanese-Americans living in Los Angeles and the Japanese in Hiroshima Prefecture. No significant difference could be observed in the values of other serum proteins in all age groups. These findings indicate that the difference in intake volume of animal fats and complex carbohydrates did not affect these serum protein values.