Blood Proteins and Clinical Significance

Containers used to collect blood samples for various tests.

Liquid portion of blood that contains clotting factors; obtained from anticoagulated blood.

Liquid portion of blood obtained after clotting; lacks clotting factors.

Protein that transports various substances in the blood.

Blood proteins like antibodies, involved in immunity and transport.

Blood protein essential for blood clotting.

Low levels of albumin in the blood, linked to health issues like liver disease.

Blood protein levels provide insights for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions.

Elevated levels of globulins in the blood, often indicating chronic inflammation or multiple myeloma.

A protein essential for blood clotting, converted by thrombin into fibrin to stabilize clots.

Increased fibrinogen levels can indicate inflammation, pregnancy, or heightened cardiovascular risk.

Low fibrinogen levels are associated with liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), or bleeding disorders.

An excess of protein in the blood, often caused by dehydration, increased inflammation, or diabetes.

A deficiency of protein in the blood, often stemming from water intoxication, heart failure, kidney problems, or insufficient protein intake.

The study of enzyme activity in blood samples to diagnose and monitor various diseases and tissue damage.

Creatine Kinase (CK) exists in different forms with varying subunit combinations: CK-1 (BB) found in brain, CK-2 (MB) found in heart, and CK-3 (MM) found in skeletal muscles.

CK-1, also known as CK-BB, is primarily found in brain tissue and its levels elevate in diseases affecting the central nervous system.

CK-2, also known as CK-MB, is predominantly found in heart tissue and its levels increase significantly in cases of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

CK-3, also known as CK-MM, is primarily found in skeletal muscles and its levels elevate in conditions associated with muscle damage.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is a tetramer, meaning it has four subunits. These subunits can be either H (heart) or M (skeletal muscle), resulting in five distinct LDH isoenzymes.

LDH1 is composed of four H subunits (HHHH) and is primarily found in the heart and red blood cells. Its levels increase in myocardial infarcts.

LDH5 consists of four M subunits (MMMM) and is mainly found in skeletal muscles and the liver. Elevated levels of LDH5 are observed in skeletal muscle and liver diseases.

Transaminases like AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) are enzymes primarily found in the liver, muscles, and kidneys. Their levels increase significantly in liver diseases.

Aspartate aminotransferase, an enzyme found in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscles. Its levels rise in conditions like acute MI and muscular dystrophy.

Alanine aminotransferase, an enzyme primarily found in the liver. Its levels increase significantly in viral hepatitis and are specific to liver damage.

An enzyme present in various tissues like the liver, bones, placenta, and small intestine. Its levels can rise in conditions related to these tissues.

In viral hepatitis, ALT levels typically rise higher than AST, while both show a characteristic pattern of elevation and decline over weeks.

In acute MI, AST, CK, and HBDH levels rise, with CK and AST peaking earlier than HBDH. LDH rises after 1 day and remains elevated for 5-6 days.

A genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase, leading to the accumulation of phenylalanine in the body.

An enzyme that is inhibited by organic phosphorus compounds, leading to decreased levels in poisoning.