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Albumin
Albumin is a blood plasma protein that is produced in the liver
and forms a large proportion of all plasma protein.
The normal range of albumin concentrations in human blood is 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL, and
albumin normally constitutes about 60% of plasma protein; all other proteins present in blood plasma are referred to collectively as globulin[?].
Albumin is essential for maintaining the oncotic pressure needed
for proper distribution of body fluids[?] between intravascular compartments
and body tissues.
Because smaller animals, (for example rats,) function at a lower blood pressure, they need less oncotic pressure to balance this, and thus need less albumin to maintain proper fluid distribution.
Functions of albumin:
- Maintains oncotic pressure
- Transports thyroid hormones
- Transports other hormones, particularly fat soluble ones
- Transports unconjugated bilirubin
- Transports many drugs
- Competitively binds calcium ions (Ca++)
- Buffers pH
Causes of albumin deficiency:
- Cirrhosis of the liver (most commonly).
- Decreased production (e.g. starvation).
- Excess excretion by the kidneys (such as in nephrotic syndrome[?]).
- Excess loss in bowel (protein losing enteropathy).
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