3 - plasma proteins and dysproteinemias Flashcards
what are the sites of plasma protein synthesis
liver: most plasma proteins
lymphoid organs: immunoglobulins
what are the functions of plasma proteins
- transport of nutrients, small hormones, waste, drugs
- colloid osmotic effects
- acid- base
- regulatory proteins (cell production and inflammation)
- immune defense
- hemostasis
what is the difference between the total PP concentrations or neonates and adults
neonate 4-6 g/dL
adults 6-8 g/dL
- neonates lacks immunoglobulin until colostrum ingestion and absorption
- immunoglobulins continue to increase as young animals are exposed to a wide variety of antigens
what does a microhematocrit tube measure
packed cell volume (PCV) or Hct
- buffy coat appearance
- plasma appearance
Plasma protein determination
fibrinogen determination
what does a refractometer measure
measure total solids in plasma or urine
- it is a quick screen of total plasma proteins (also used for urine specific gravity)
- based upon the fluid’s refractive index
What causes erroneously increased plasma protein concentrations
- hemolysis in the sample (hemoglobin is not a plasma protein)
- lipemia - interference with light transmission
- marked increases in nonprotein solids (ex high glucose in diabetics or urea nitrogen in kidney dz)
Normal HCT with low, normal, and high TPP
low TPP : GI protein loss, proteinuria, liver dz
normal TPP: normal
High TPP: increased globulin synthesis, dehydration masked anemia
high HCT with low, normal, and high TPP
low TPP: protein loss combined with relative or absolute erythrocytosis
normal TPP: splenic contraction, absolute erythrocytosis, dehydration masked hypoproteinemia
high TPP: dehydration
Low HCT with low, normal, high TPP
Low TPP: substantial ongoing or recent blood loss, overhydration
normal TPP: increased erythrocyte destruction, decreased erythrocyte production, chronic hemorrhage
high TPP: anemia of inflammatory dz, multiple myeloma or other lymphoproliferative dz
how are serum proteins measured
total protein and albumin concentrations in serum (or plasma) are measured separately using 2 different spectrophotometric assays
- total globulin concentration is calculated by subtracting albumin concentrations from total protein concentrations
what migrated the farthest in serum protein electrophoresis
albumin
- stained with coomassie blue
when is serum protein electrophoresis preformed
**- unexplained hyperglobulinemia is present
- immunoglobulin deficiency is suspected **
SPE abnormalities are seldom specific for a given dz
what is albumin
a single homogenous protein
- with a small molecular weight and contains minimal carbohydrates
negative acute phase protein
what can hypoalbuminemia result in for osmotic pressure
edema
what are the transport functions or albumin
- organic and inorganic substances
- cations (mostly Ca++) metabolites, certain hormones, poorly soluble drugs, toxic substances
**hypoalbuminemia = low total Ca++ in blood **
what are acute phase proteins
acute phase proteins (APPs) are proteins with more than 25% change in serum concentrations in response to inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNFa, IL-6)
how are APPs categorized
positive = increasing serum concentration
negative = decreasing serum concentration
what does an increased production of positive APPs mean
it is a sensitive indicator of inflammation which can occur prior to the development of an inflammatory leukogram
- this is helpful in some species like cattle and manatees, bc they often do not exhibit prominent leukogram changes in response to inflammation
what is serum amyloid A
a major acute phase protein in all common domestic mammals
- a family of apolipoproteins associated with high density lipoproteins (HDLs)
- a very low conc in normal animals
what is C-reactive protein
major acute phase protein in dogs and humans
- normally present in very low concentrations
what is haptoglobin
**major acute-phase protein in ruminants **
- it binds free plasma Hb irreversibly
- glycoprotein (20% CHO) that migrates in a-2 region
- prevents initial loss of free Hb in urine
-**protects against bacterial infections ** - antioxidant activity
what is fibrinogen
- optimal platelet aggregation
- classified as coagulation factor I
- precursor to fibrin in coagulation
- scaffolding for inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells when deposited in tissues
- moderate acute-phase protein (APP) that increases in inflammation (most prominent in horses, cattle and goats)