Plasma proteins Flashcards
What are some functions of plasma proteins?
Transport Immunity Detoxification Colloid osmotic pressure Coagulation
What proportion of plasma does albumin make up?
55%
Different types of globulins, give examples
Alpha = alpha 1 antitrypsin
Beta: transferrin, plasminogen, complement C3
Gammma: immunoglobulin
Where are most plasma proteins made, what’s the exception?
Liver, gamma globulin
What are the 2 main roles of albumin?
Contribute to osmotic balance (between vascular and interstitial compartments)/plasma osmolarity
Binding hydrophobic molecules, trace elements and drugs
What diseases can arise due to abnormal albumin levels?
Chronic liver disease, less albumin, symptom= oedema/ascites
Depleted albumin levels (malnutrition) causes Kwashiorkor
Describe the molecules carried by albumin?
Hydrophobic molecules (e.g. fatty acid, sterorid hormones, bilirubin) Trace elements (e.g. copper) Drugs e.g. warfarin, digoxin
Where does haem catabolism occur?
Liver, spleen, bone marrow
Which organ removes senescent erythrocytes?
Spleen
What happens in haem catabolism?
Globin protein degraded, AA recycled
Fe2+ is reduced with NADPH and reused
Porphyrin ring opened to give biliverdin (green)
Biliverdin reduced with NADPH to bilirubin (yellow)
How is bilirubin transported to liver in blood?
Bound to albumin
What happens to bilirubin in liver, why?
Conjugated with glucuronic acid so becomes water soluble for excretion
Where is conjugated bilirubin excreted?
In bile into small intestine
What is a sign of hyperbilirubinaemia?
Jaundice
What do liver function tests in investigation of causes of jaundice look at?
Conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin
What can cause unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia?
Immaturity of conjugating enzymes
Increased bilirubin load (haemolytic anemia)
Genetic defect of conjugating enzyme
What can cause conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia?
Hepatocellular disease
Intra/extra hepatic biliar obstruction
Genetic defects of biliruin excretion (e.g. Rotor syndrome)
Is it unconjugated or conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia where bilirubin is excreted in urine?
Conjugated
Where is Fe used in body?
Hb (60%)
Myoglobin
Cytochromes
Describe the size of iron stores in body, how much do men and women require per day, how much is absorbed as a proportion of this?
Total body iron is 2.5-3.5g
Men- 8.5mg
Women 14.5mg
~1mg absorbed