Summary. Vitamin B12 absorbed from the gut is transported on all the vitamin B12 binding proteins (transcobalamins) and not primarily on Transcobalamin II. Absorbed vitamin B12 can still be detected on the vitamin B12 binding proteins after 10 days suggesting that the very rapid plasma clearance of the TCII‐vitamin B12 complex previously reported was probably due to damage to TCII prior to re‐injection. Vitamin B12 binder III is part of Transcobalamin I complex showing immunological identity with other binders in tissue fluids (R binders). Heparin given in vivo or in vitro prevented separation of Binder III from TCI and this effect was neutralized by protamine.

S U M M A R Y1. By means of a quantitative immunoelectrophoretic technique, serum protein changes have been followed in seven patients before and during the week following inguinal herniorrhaphy, and in a single case of influenza.2. The twenty proteins studied are grouped according to whether they rise (orosomucoid, a,-antitrypsin, Gc-globulin, caeruloplasmin, haptoglobin, globulin and proteins numbered 45,99, 101 and X); fall (pre-albumin, a,,,-glycopro-teinandproteinNo. 9); or show no significant change (a,-macroglobulin, haemopexin). a,-Lipoprotein fell in the case of influenza but did not change in the hernia patients; a1 -easily-precipitable-glycoprotein increased in the hernia cases only.3. The nature of the 'acute phase reaction' and the factors which elicit it are discussed.Every serious study of plasma protein changes in pathological states is complicated by the unspecific response, commonly called 'the acute phase reaction', which occurs during any idammatory process. Although this is frequently quoted, there are only a few reliable accounts of the changes affecting individual plasma proteins after injury (Schumacher, 1962; Crockson, Payne, Ratcliff & Soothill, 1966;Werner & Odenthal, 1967; Laurell, personal communication). In this study we have followed the concentration of twenty different plasma proteins in time across a single surgical traumatic event. These include the serum proteins present in high concentration (over 100 mg/100 ml) but exclude the immunoglobulins and some proteins present in lower concentrations. It is appreciated that the selected proteins are not necessarily the only ones involved in the unspecific response; further work will be required to study the changes in other serum proteins.

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1. The concentrations of a number of plasma proteins in patients with haemochromatosis were determined by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis, particular attention being paid to the three iron transporting proteins.2. Transferrin and haptoglobin were within normal limits; haemopexin was significantly greater than normal (P< 0.001).3. Other changes observed were a significant (P