Albumin Health Dictionary

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Albumin: From 2 Different Sources

The most abundant protein in the blood plasma. Albumin is made in the liver from amino acids. It helps to retain substances (such as calcium, some hormones, and certain drugs) in the circulation by binding to them to prevent them from being filtered out by the kidneys and excreted. Albumin also regulates the movement of water between tissues and the bloodstream by osmosis. (See also albuminuria.)
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
n. a protein that is soluble in water and coagulated by heat. An example is serum albumin, which is found in blood plasma and is important for the maintenance of plasma volume. Albumin is synthesized in the liver; the inability to synthesize it is a prominent feature of chronic liver disease (*cirrhosis).
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Albuminuria

The presence of serum albumin and serum globulin in the urine... albuminuria

Albumins

Albumins are water-soluble proteins which enter into the composition of all the tissues of the body. Albumins are generally divided according to their source of origin, as muscle-albumin, milk-albumin, blood- or serum-albumin, egg-albumin, vegetable-albumin, etc. These di?er both in chemical reactions and also physiologically. Serum-albumin occurs in blood PLASMA where it is important in maintaining plasma volume.

When taken into the stomach, all albumins are converted into a soluble form by the process of DIGESTION and then absorbed into the blood, whence they go to build up the tissues. Albumin is synthesised in the liver, and in chronic liver disease this process is seriously affected. (See PROTEINURIA; KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF – Glomerulonephritis.)... albumins


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