Functions of Albumin
Albumin is a major plasma protein which performs several crucial functions in the body:
Oncotic Pressure Regulation
- Albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining the oncotic pressure in the blood vessels.
- This pressure gradient helps to keep water within the blood vessels, preventing excessive fluid leakage into the tissues.
Transport function
- It acts as a carrier protein, transporting various substances in the bloodstream.
- For example, it binds to fatty acids, facilitating their transport, and it also binds to bilirubin, aiding in its transport to the liver for excretion.
pH Regulation
Albumin helps to buffer changes in blood pH by binding to hydrogen ions (H⁺) and other ions, contributing to the maintenance of normal blood pH levels.
Antioxidant properties
- Albumin has the capacity to bind and transport certain metals (e.g., copper, nickel), preventing them from participating in oxidative reactions that could damage tissues.
- It also binds and inactivates some free radicals, exhibiting antioxidant properties.
Anticoagulant properties
Albumin binds to certain coagulation factors, modulating their activity and contributing to the regulation of blood coagulation.
Nutritional reserve
Albumin serves as a reserve of amino acids that can be used by the body in times of nutritional deficiency or increased metabolic demand.
Albumin in Urine
Albumin is a major blood protein that is produced in the liver. Albumin is the most abundant blood plasma protein, accounting for 55% of the total protein in plasma. Understanding albumin in urine causes and symptoms involves recognizing that albuminuria, or the presence of albumin in urine, can indicate kidney damage or dysfunction, often linked to conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease.
Table of Content
- What is Albumin?
- Structure of Albumin
- Albumin in Urine – Albuminuria
- Albumin in Urine Symptoms
- Albumin in Urine Causes
- Treatment for Albuminuria
- Albumin in Urine Normal Range
- Albumin in Urine Test
- How to Reduce Albumin in Urine
- Functions of Albumin
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