composition of blood

main components of blood

• plasma 55%

• erythrocytes (red blood cells) 45%

• White blood cells, platelets 1%

what is plasma made up of?

• proteins

• anions

• small molecules

plasma vs serum differences

serum is liquid component of blood when blood is allowed to clot. plasma contains clotting factors, serum does not

examples of small molecules in blood

• glucose

• amino acids

• lactate

• urea

• ketones

• glycerol

oncotic pressure

force exerted by proteins in the blood that draws water into the blood vessels

what is albumin

most abundant protein in plasma synthesised by the liver

albumin properties

• negative charged

• highly polar

• large capacity to non-specifically bind ligands

• soluble

albumin bound molecules are…

• solubilised

• retained in blood stream

• may be neutralised

low levels of albumin is called? what does low levels cause?

hypoalbumineamia , lowers oncotic pressure

causes of hypoalbumineamia

chronic liver failure

malnutrition

chronic renal disease

What is serum protein electrophoresis. how does it happen?

Diagnostic tool to identify and measure the levels of various proteins in the blood.

It separates these proteins based on their electrical charge and size, and detects abnormalities.

importance of serum protein electrophoresis

Assessing liver and kidney function

disease diagnosis

monitoring disease progression

identifying specific proteins

what does less blood protein cause?

lower oncotic pressure so water will stay in tissues

how are serum enzymes used for diagnosis

Some enzymes will only be in a specific part of the body. Indicates where damage is.

function of blood

• delivery of nutrients

• waste collection

• communications

• defence

describe communication function of blood

hormones from manufacturing sites to target tissues

functions of plasma proteins

• transport

• inflammatory response and immunity

• haemostasis

• oncotic pressure

what determines the concentration of proteins in plasma?

• blood volume - hydration

• rate of synthesis by the liver and cells of immune system

• rate of breakdown and loss

normal

describe

hypogammaglobulinemia

decrease in immunoglobulins(antibodies)

describe

chronic infection

overall increase in the broad y band shows increase in antibodies

describe

paraproteinaemia

start distinct increase in the Y band is seen in multiple myeloma, a cancer

ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) is an indicator of?

liver damage

ALP (alkaline phosphatase) is an indictor of?

bone deposition, liver damage, hyperthyroidism, biliary disease, increased steroid levels

GDH (Glutamate dehydrogenase) and GT (Glutamyl transferase) is an indicator of?

liver disease

CK (creatine kinase) is an indicator of?

muscle damage

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is an indicator of?

muscle and liver damage

increased alpha-globulins show in serum protein electrophoresis

acute inflammatory disease

increased beta-globulins show in serum protein electrophoresis

indicate liver disease

what are limitations of SPE?

• Some proteins are produced in quantities too low to detect

• changes in band density can be missed, 30% change to show

• different abundance of proteins at different times of an animal’s life cycle

what does increased and decreased albumin indicate in serum protein electrophoresis?

increased - dehydration

decreased - malnutrition, chronic liver or renal disease

label 1 -6 of this serum electrophoretic pattern

1. albumin

2. beta 1

3. beta 2

4. alpha 1

5. alpha 2

6. y band (immunoglobulins)