Plasma Proteins

What are the plasma protein classes?

• Albumin

• Globulin

  • Alpha-1

  • Alpha-2

  • Beta

  • Gamma

• Miscellaneous proteins

What are the two Alpha-1 Globulins?

• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT)

• Alpha-1 Fetoprotein (AFP)

What are the three Alpha-2 globulins?

• Haptoglobin

• Ceruloplasmin

• Alpha-2 Macroglobulin

What are the five Beta-globulins?

• Transferrin

• Hemopexin

• Complement proteins

• Fibrinogen

• CRP

What are the five Gamma-globulins?

Immunoglobulins

• A

• D

• E

• G

• M

What are the two miscellaneous plasma proteins?

• Myoglobin

• Troponins

What are the functions of albumin?

• Oncotic pressure

• Carrier protein (for bilirubin, hormones, fatty acids, acidic drugs, calcium, magnesium)

What diseases might you see with decreased albumin levels?

• Liver disease

• Kidney disease

• Malnutrition

• Malabsorption disorders

• Muscle wasting diseases

Why might you see an increased albumin level?

Dehydration

What is the function of pre-albumin?

• Carrier protein (for T3 & T4)

• Transports vitamin A (retinol)

What is the clinical significance of pre albumin? What diseases might it be decreased in?

• Marker of inadequate dietary intake

• Decreased in liver diseases, acute inflammatory responses and tissue necrosis