Plasma proteins functions

Protein and electrophoresis region g/lOOg plasma protein (% Function total) ... 

Figure 25.3 Electrophoresis patterns for normal human serum, (a) Stained strip (b) densitometric scan of strip The plasma proteins function generally ...

Sotalol is rapidly and almost completely (>90%) absorbed. Bioavahabhity of absorbed dmg is 89—100%. Peak plasma levels are achieved in 2—4 h. Sotalol is 50% bound to plasma proteins. Plasma half-life of the compound is about 5.2 h. No metabolites of sotalol have been identified indicating littie metabolism. The dmg is excreted mainly by the kidneys (80—90%) and about 10% is eliminated in the feces. The plasma half-life is prolonged in patients having renal failure. Kinetics of the compound are not affected by changes in liver function (1,2). Sotalol has ah the adverse effects of -adrenoceptor blockers including myocardial depression, bradycardia, transient hypotension, and proarrhythmic effects (1,2). 

LIPOPROTEINS. Blood plasma lipoproteins are prominent examples of the class of proteins conjugated with lipid. The plasma lipoproteins function primarily in the transport of lipids to sites of active membrane synthesis. Serum levels of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) are often used as a clinical index of susceptibility to vascular disease. 

Many low weight compounds produced by microor-ganism-like formylated peptides as well as endogenous mediators are chemotactic for leukocytes and promote the inflammatory process. The main endogenous compounds are listed in Table 1 and are derived from activated plasma protein cascades that function as amplification mechanisms, are performed and released from activated cells or are de novo synthesized on demand by cells participating in or being affected by inflammatory events. The major modulators of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells are listed in Table 2. 

The composition of body fluids remains relatively constant despite the many demands placed on the body each day. On occasion, these demands cannot be met, and electrolytes and fluids must be given in an attempt to restore equilibrium. The solutions used in the management of body fluids discussed in this chapter include blood plasma, plasma protein fractions, protein substrates, energy substrates, plasma proteins, electrolytes, and miscellaneous replacement fluids. Electrolytes are electrically charged particles (ions) that are essential for normal cell function and are involved in various metabolic activities. This chapter discusses the use of electrolytes to replace one or more electrolytes that may be lost by the body. The last section of this chapter gives a brief overview of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). 

Because of the relative ease with which they can be obtained, plasma proteins have been smdied extensively in both humans and animals. Considerable information is available about the biosynthesis, turnover, strucmre, and functions of the major plasma proteins. Alterations of their amounts and of their metabolism in many disease states have also been investigated. In recent years, many of the genes for plasma proteins have been cloned and their stmcmres determined. 

Table 50-2 summarizes the functions of many of the plasma proteins. The remainder of the material in this chapter presents basic information regarding selected plasma proteins albumin, haptoglobin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, aj-antitrypsin, aj i roglobulin, the immunoglobulins, and the complement system. The lipoproteins are discussed in Chapter 25. 

Mature human albumin consists of one polypeptide chain of 585 amino acids and contains 17 disulfide bonds. By the use of proteases, albumin can be subdivided into three domains, which have different functions. Albumin has an ellipsoidal shape, which means that it does not increase the viscosity of the plasma as much as an elongated molecule such as fibrinogen does. Because of its relatively low molecular mass (about 69 kDa) and high concentration, albumin is thought to be responsible for 75-80% of the osmotic pressure of human plasma. Electrophoretic smdies have shown that the plasma of certain humans lacks albumin. These subjects are said to exhibit analbuminemia. One cause of this condition is a mutation that affects spUcing. Subjects with analbuminemia show only moderate edema, despite the fact that albumin is the major determinant of plasma osmotic pressure. It is thought that the amounts of the other plasma proteins increase and compensate for the lack of albumin. 

The endothelium has many diverse functions that enable it to participate in in-flammatoiy reactions (H27). These include modulation of vascular tone, and hence control of local blood flow changes in structure that allow leakage of fluids and plasma proteins into extravascular tissues local accumulation and subsequent extravasation into tissues of leukocytes and synthesis of surface molecules and soluble factors involved in leukocyte activation (B43). The endothelial cells themselves can modulate vascular tone by the release of vasoactive substances such as prostacyclin, nitric oxide (NO), ET. Endothelium-derived vasoactive substances... 

Albumin is the most abundant (about 55%) of the plasma proteins. An important function of albumin is to bind with various molecules in the blood and serve as a carrier protein, transporting these substances throughout the circulation. Substances that bind with albumin include hormones amino acids fatty acids bile salts and vitamins. Albumin also serves as an osmotic regulator. Because capillary walls are impermeable to plasma proteins, these molecules exert a powerful osmotic force on water in the blood. In fact, the plasma colloid osmotic pressure exerted by plasma proteins is the only force that retains water within the vascular compartment and therefore maintains blood volume (see Chapter 15). Albumin is synthesized in the liver. 

Two of the cytoskeletal components, the actin filaments and the microtubules have been studied with molecular rotors. The main component of the actin filaments is the actin protein, a 44 kD molecule found in two forms within the cell the monomeric globulin form (G-actin) and the filament form (F-actin). Actin binds with ATP to form the microfilaments that are responsible for cell shape and motility. The rate of polymerization from the monomeric form plays a vital role in cell movement and signaling. Actin filaments form the cortical mesh that is the basis of the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton has an active relationship with the plasma membrane. Functional proteins found in both structures... 

T. Peters, The Plasma Proteins. Structure, Function and Genetic Control. Academic Press, New York, 1975. 

Lestelius M, Liedberg B, Tengvall P (1997) In vitro plasma protein adsorption on co-functionalized alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers. Langmuir 13 5900-5908... 

For pH sensors used in in-vivo applications, especially those in continuous pH monitor or implantable applications, hemocompatibility is a key area of importance [150], The interaction of plasma proteins with sensor surface will affect sensor functions. Thrombus formation on the device surface due to accelerated coagulation, promoted by protein adsorption, provided platelet adhesion and activation. In addition, variation in the blood flow rate due to vasoconstriction (constriction of a blood vessel) and sensor attachment to vessel walls, known as wall effect , can cause significant errors during blood pH monitoring [50, 126],... 

Table 12.7 The major plasma proteins of known function found in human blood...

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