What are the functions of human albumin?

Human albumin is actually an injectable drug. Its main function is to provide nutrition, help increase blood volume and maintain plasma colloidal osmotic pressure. It also has the functions of transportation and detoxification. It is mainly used for critically ill patients.

First, nutritional supply

Tissue protein and plasma protein can be converted into each other. When nitrogen metabolism is impaired, albumin can serve as a nitrogen source to provide nutrition for tissues.

Second, increase blood volume and maintain plasma colloid osmotic pressure

Albumin accounts for 80% of plasma colloidal osmotic pressure and mainly regulates the dynamic balance of water between tissues and blood vessels. Due to the high molecular weight of albumin, it passes through the membrane more slowly than salts and water, so that the colloidal osmotic pressure of albumin counteracts the static pressure of the capillaries, thereby maintaining normal and constant blood volume.

At the same time, in the blood circulation, 1g of albumin can retain 18ml of water. The ability of every 5g of albumin to retain water in the circulation is approximately equivalent to that of 100ml of plasma or 200ml of whole blood, thereby increasing the circulating blood volume and maintaining the plasma colloidal osmotic pressure.

Third, transportation and detoxification

Albumin can bind not only anions but also cations and can transport different substances, while also transporting toxic substances to detoxification organs.