ABSTRACT
Plasma albumin and total protein are often included as part of a biochemistry department’s assay profile, and other more specialized plasma proteins such as C-reactive protein may also be measured in certain circumstances. Most plasma proteins are taken up by pinocytosis into capillary endothelial cells or mononuclear phagocytes, where they are catabolized. Peptide hormones and blood clotting factors contribute quantitatively relatively small, but physiologically important, amounts of plasma protein. Plasma proteins may be expressed either as concentrations or as activities of those proteins that have defined functions. Plasma protein changes depend on the severity of the renal lesion. In more severe cases, a rise in plasma very low-density lipoprotein concentration may cause plasma turbidity. Fatty casts may be detectable in the urine. The non-specific changes in plasma protein concentrations occurring in response to acute or chronic tissue damage are caused by increased protein synthesis in the liver in response to peptide mediators or cytokines.
