Albumin
Albumin is a non-glycosylated protein synthesized by parenchymal cells of the liver in an amount of 12-15 g / day. Its content is about 60% of the total protein. In plasma, albumin is responsible, mainly, for maintaining the oncotic pressure, and also participates in the transport of various compounds (free fatty acids, bilirubin, hormones, metal ions and medicines). In this regard, a decrease in the concentration of albumin in the blood has a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of drugs. Also albumin serves as a protein reserve organism. Serum albumin has a half-life of 18-20 days. This period is reduced in conditions of increased catabolism: in severe infections, bleeding, surgical interventions, loss of protein in cases of impaired renal function, gastrointestinaltract and skin. Thus, albumin is considered a "negative" activator of the acute phase (the reaction to acute infectious and inflammatory processes decreases). Albumin is also an indicator of the overall nutritional status of the body, especially in the elderly with various chronic diseases. The determination of the level of albumin allows monitoring the patient's nutrition and is a remarkable test for assessing liver function. Albumin levels below 2.0-2.5 g / dL, associated with nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis or enteropathy with protein loss, can lead to swelling.