What is albumin

Many people do not understand what albumin is. In fact, to put it simply, albumin in the human body is a substance that can maintain the internal environment of the human body and maintain coordination between various parts of the human body. Some albumins can also resist viral invasion. We should know something about albumin, because the value of albumin is also a symptomatic test of the health of the body.

Albumin is a very important substance in our human body. It can help transport some nutrients into the blood and allow blood to flow throughout the body. The examination of many diseases also requires checking the albumin value, this is something everyone should know.

Albumin is a protein belonging to globulin and is synthesized by the liver. The serum albumin concentration can reflect the function of the liver. At the same time, changes in serum albumin levels can lead to a series of pathological secondary symptoms. Therefore, the measurement of serum albumin is often used for non-specific monitoring of the patient's condition. Its most important function in the human body is to maintain colloid osmotic pressure.

Also known as albumin. A globular simple protein that is soluble in water and coagulates when heated. It is the most widely distributed in nature and exists in almost all animals and plants. Such as ovalbumin, serum albumin, lactalbumin, myoalbumin, wheat albumin, soy albumin, etc. belong to this category. Commonly used as a culture medium component. It can also be used as a binder in artificial sausages, soups and stews.

Physiological role of albumin

(1) Maintaining a constant plasma colloid osmotic pressure

Albumin is a protein with the largest content in plasma, the smallest molecule, the highest solubility, and the most functions. The maintenance of plasma colloid osmotic pressure mainly depends on the albumin in plasma. Colloid osmotic pressure is the main driving force for the interstitial fluid at the venous end to return to the blood vessels. When plasma albumin decreases due to pathological conditions, the colloidal osmotic pressure of plasma also decreases, which can cause excessive water in the blood to enter the tissue fluid and cause edema.

(2) Transport function of plasma albumin

Plasma albumin can reversibly combine with many poorly soluble small molecular organic substances and inorganic ions in the body to form highly soluble complexes, which become the transport form of these substances in the blood circulation. This shows that albumin is a non-specific transport protein, which is physiologically important and closely related to human health.

(3) Other physiological effects of plasma albumin

The albumin content in plasma is much higher than that of globulin, and its hydrophilic effect is greater than that of globulin, which makes the albumin in plasma play a colloidal protective and stabilizing role on globulin. When liver dysfunction causes insufficient albumin synthesis, plasma globulin may lose its colloidal protective effect and its stability may decrease. The decreased stability of plasma globulin will seriously affect the metabolism and utilization of these substances in the body, causing corresponding symptoms. In addition, albumin is an important nutrient in the human body. Albumin is also constantly metabolized and renewed in the plasma. The amino acids produced by the decomposition of plasma albumin can be used to synthesize tissue proteins, oxidized and decomposed to supply energy, or converted into other nitrogen-containing substances.

The above is a detailed introduction to what albumin is. I believe that after reading it, you will have a deeper understanding of albumin. Albumin exists in our bodies, so we should learn more about it so that we can be more aware of our health and it is also a kind of protection for ourselves.