Plasma Proteins

the number obtained when total albumin is measured and dividied by the total globulin fraction. should be ~2.0

Ref Range: 35 - 47 g/LHighest content in serum (largest peak on electrophoresis)Synthesied by liver.Colloid - helps maintain osmotic pressure of blood.Maintain tissue fluid levels.MW: 69 kDa.Most soluble in water due to net negative charge.

Rarely increased except in dehydration

Excessive catabolism due to trauma loss or inflammation

Ref Range: 1 - 4 g/LSmallest fraction (quantity)Is a heterogenous mix of lipoproteins, antitypsin, glycoprotein.Hepatic origin.Decreased by liver necrosis, renal disease, genetic abnormalities. Elevated by hormones (estrogens)

AAG is increased by inflammation, tissue destruction, and APR

Elevated by APR and estrogenDecreased by RDS, Pancreatitis

used to determine presence of birth defects in uteru (neural tube, open abdominal wall, multiple fetus, detal death, Down's syndrome)Maternal serum is used (part of MSS)

Abnormal quantities of antibodies produced in multiple myeloma --> increase in gamma portion

Negative nitrogen balance in the body

Over-excretion in renal system due to kidney failure

leakage