American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 16, 492-508, Copyright © 1965 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Serum Protein Electrophoretic Fractions Among Negro and White Subjects in Evans County, Georgia

¹ From the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Patterns of serum albumin and globulin fractions in Negro and white subjects by age, race, sex and social class are presented. Strength of association of these proteins with certain physiological variables is shown.

It appears likely that the serum albumin difference observed among older Negro male and white subjects has been environmentally determined (? factors). A difference in the pattern of alpha₂ and beta globulin concentration among Negro and white subjects was observed. The reason for the racial differences in the average concentration of the latter proteins is not clear from an analysis of the available data. Negro subjects in Evans County had a significantly higher serum gamma globulin concentration than did white subjects. The latter finding was not explained by a differential occurrence of disease or a differential environmental exposure as judged by social class comparisons, personal examinations and a knowledge of the comnmunity ecology. The implication is that genetic factors may be a stronger determinant of the racial difference in total circulating gamma globulin concentration. The frequency distribution of gamma globulin among Negro male and female subjects was bimodal. The reason for this pattern was not evident in the data gathered.

Studies are contemplated which will be designed to examine further the observations and questions outlined herein.