Albumin 10
Bartolome Moosavi
Albumin is a family of globular proteins, the most common of which are the serum albumins. All of the proteins of the albumin family are water-soluble, moderately soluble in concentrated salt solutions, and experience heat denaturation. Albumins are commonly found in blood plasma and differ from other blood proteins in that they are not glycosylated. Substances containing albumins are called albuminoids.
A number of blood transport proteins are evolutionarily related in the albumin family, including serum albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, vitamin D-binding protein and afamin.[3][4][5] This family is only found in vertebrates.[6]
In addition to their medical use, serum albumins are valued in biotechnology. Bovine serum albumin is usually used, although versions from humans and genetically-modified rice are also used to reduce animal cruelty.
Albumin comprises three homologous domains that assemble to form a heart-shaped protein.[2] Each domain is a product of two subdomains that possess common structural motifs.[2] The principal regions of ligand binding to human serum albumin are located in hydrophobic cavities in subdomains IIA and IIIA, which exhibit similar chemistry. Structurally, the serum albumins are similar, each domain containing five or six internal disulfide bonds.
Worldwide, certain traditional Chinese medicines contain wild bear bile, banned under CITES legislation. Dip sticks, similar to common pregnancy tests, have been developed to detect the presence of bear albumin in traditional medicine products, indicating that bear bile had been used in their creation.[12]
Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Albumin enters your bloodstream and helps keep fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels into other tissues. It is also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout your body. Without enough albumin, fluid can leak out of your blood and build up in your lungs, abdomen (belly), or other parts of your body.
An albumin blood test is used to check your general health and to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. If your liver is damaged or you're not well nourished, your liver may not make enough albumin. If your kidneys are damaged, they may let too much albumin leave your body in urine (pee).
An albumin blood test is often done as part of a group of blood tests that measure different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made in your liver. These tests are called liver function tests or liver panel. An albumin test may also be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), a group of routine blood tests that measures several substances.
Your health care provider may order an albumin test as part your regular checkup. The test may be ordered as part of a group of liver function tests or a comprehensive metabolic panel. You may also need this test if you have symptoms of liver or kidney disease.
You don't need any special preparations to test for albumin in blood. If your provider ordered other blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. Certain medicines may affect your test results, so tell your provider what you are taking. But don't stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.
If your albumin levels are not in the normal range, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Certain medicines, including steroids, insulin, and hormones, can increase albumin levels. Not eating can cause a large decrease in albumin after 24 to 48 hours. Other medicines, including birth control pills, can lower your albumin levels. Albumin levels are lower during pregnancy.
During the course of cirrhosis, a progressive reduction of splanchnic vascular resistance takes place in parallel with a deterioration of cardiac function manifested by the disappearance of the hyperdynamic circulation due to a fall in cardiac output. This compromises arterial pressure and determines a homeostatic activation of endogenous vasoconstrictor systems. Cirrhotic patients are prone to developing renal vasoconstriction,decreased renal perfusion and renal failure in response to insults that impairs the effective arterial blood volume such as severe bacterial infections or other clinical events that produce hypovolemia.Although circulatory dysfunction in cirrhosis predominantly affects the kidney, it has also effects on other organs and systems: brain edema and encephalopathy, increased portal pressure and decreased intestinal motility. Albumin infusion is effective in the prevention of circulatory dysfunction after therapeutic paracentesis or acute bacterial infections and in in the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome. This effectiveness may be related to the dual effect of albumin on the cardio-circulatory function, the increase in the cardiac output and in the systemic vascular resistance. The administration of intravenous albumin not only expands the plasma volume and increases cardiac preload and cardiac output but also induces arterial vasoconstriction at the level of splanchnic microcirculation. Moreover, albumin is a powerful antioxidant as well as plays a crucial role in the transport of physiologic substances and disposal of toxic substances. Impairment of albumin function is one of the most characteristic traits of cirrhosis. Administration of exogenous albumin could be beneficial because of its positive effects on microcirculation.
processing.... Drugs & Diseases > Laboratory Medicine Albumin Updated: Jun 14, 2022
- Author: Sridevi Devaraj, PhD, DABCC, FAACC, FRSC, CCRP; Chief Editor: Thomas M Wheeler, MD, FCAP more...
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- Sections Albumin Reference Range Interpretation Collection and Panels Background Show All References
Albumin is a blood plasma protein synthesized in the liver. It is the single most abundant protein in plasma and constitutes about two-thirds of total protein content. Because it is the main protein in human blood, decreases in albumin due to decreased synthesis or losses result in impaired regulation of intravascular oncotic pressure and manifests as edema. As such, it transports certain hormones (eg, thyroid, estrogen, cortisol) when their specific binding globulins are saturated, as well as unconjugated bilirubin and other organic anions and many drugs (eg, penicillin, warfarin). Albumin is soluble in water, precipitated by acid, and coagulated by heat. The chief functions of albumin are to transport a wide variety of ligands, to maintain plasma oncotic pressure, and to serve as a source for endogenous amino acids. [1, 2]
A study by Kawaguchi et al indicated that in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), reductions in serum albumin are predictive of serious complications. While in study patients without serious complications, the serum albumin level declined by 0.04 g/dL/year, in, for example, those who suffered hepatic failure, the level was reduced by 0.38 g/dL/year, and in patients with gastroesophageal varices, by 0.25 g/dL/year. [8]
Taxanes are standard treatment for metastatic breast cancer; however, the solvents used as vehicles in these formulations cause severe toxicities. The FDA recently approved a solvent-free formulation of paclitaxel for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer that utilises 130-nanometer albumin-bound (nab) technology (Abraxane; nab-paclitaxel) to circumvent the requirement for solvents. nab-Paclitaxel utilises the natural properties of albumin to reversibly bind paclitaxel, transport it across the endothelial cell and concentrate it in areas of tumour. The proposed mechanism of drug delivery involves, in part, glycoprotein 60-mediated endothelial cell transcytosis of paclitaxel-bound albumin and accumulation in the area of tumour by albumin binding to SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine). Clinical studies have shown that nab-paclitaxel is significantly more effective than paclitaxel formulated as Cremophor EL (CrEL, Taxol, CrEL-paclitaxel), with almost double the response rate, increased time to disease progression and increased survival in second-line patients. The absence of CrEL from the formulation is associated with decreased neutropenia and rapid improvement of peripheral neuropathy with nab-paclitaxel, compared with CrEL-paclitaxel. For these reasons, nab-paclitaxel can be administered using higher doses of paclitaxel than that achievable with CrEL-paclitaxel, with shorter infusion duration and without the requirement for corticosteroid and antihistamine premedication to reduce the risk of solvent-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Taken together, these studies have demonstrated that nab technology has increased the therapeutic index of paclitaxel compared with the conventional, solvent-based formulation.
Albuminuria (sometimes referred to as proteinuria) is when you have albumin in your urine. Albumin is an important protein normally found in the blood that serves many roles in the body - building muscle, repairing tissue, and fighting infection. It is not usually found in the urine.
Most people with albuminuria (proteinuria) may not notice any symptoms. This is why it is so important to get regular health checkups (including lab tests), especially if you have any risk factors for albuminuria or kidney disease.
The primary way to diagnose albuminuria is through a urine test called the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR). Your uACR results help describe the degree of albuminuria you may be experiencing, if any.
The main goal of treatment is to lower your overall risk for developing complications. This starts with addressing the most likely cause for your albuminuria (proteinuria). For most people, the initial focus will likely be on getting your blood pressure and/or blood sugar levels into their target ranges. A combination of lifestyle modifications and medication is generally the most effective approach for treating albuminuria and lowering your risk for complications.
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