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albumin
(al-bu´min)
any protein that is soluble in water and moderately concentrated salt solutions and is coagulable by heat.
serum albumin; the most abundant plasma protein, formed primarily in the liver and making up around two thirds of the protein in blood plasma. Albumin is responsible for much of the colloidal osmotic pressure of the blood, and thus is important in regulating the exchange of water between the plasma and the interstitial fluid around the cells. Because of hydrostatic pressure, water is forced through the walls of the capillaries into the interstitial fluid. This flow continues until the osmotic pull of protein molecules (that is, albumin) causes it to stop. A drop in the amount
of albumin in the plasma causes increased flowing of water from the capillaries into the interstitial fluid; as the volume of interstitial fluid goes up, it can eventually cause edema. Albumin also serves as a transport protein for large organic molecules, some drugs, and certain hormones. Albumin in the urine (albuminuria) indicates malfunction of the kidney, with possible kidney disease or heart failure.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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