MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Human albumin acts as the most significant modulator of plasma oncotic pressure and functions to transport a variety of substances called ligands. Those ligands transported by serum albumin include endogenous ligands such as bilirubin, ions, fatty acids, and exogenous ligands such as drugs.

Detailed explanation-2: -By far, the protein with the greatest contribution to the colloid osmotic pressure in the plasma/capillary space is albumin (21.8 mm Hg), followed by globulins (6 mm Hg), and then fibrinogen (0.2 mm Hg), giving a total colloid pressure of 28 mm Hg to move fluids inward.

Detailed explanation-3: -The protein we use in this study, albumin, has a special role in regulating the osmotic pressure balance at the level of blood vessels, because it is the largest protein constituent of plasma and is present at a concentration of ≈40 mg/ml (≈0.6 mM).

Detailed explanation-4: -Decreased intravascular osmotic pressure most commonly results from decreased concentrations of plasma proteins, particularly albumin. Hypoalbuminemia reduces the intravascular colloidal osmotic pressure, resulting in increased fluid filtration and decreased absorption and culminating in edema.

Detailed explanation-5: -In theory, albumin replacement is more advantageous than administration of other colloid fluids because albumin exerts a greater osmotic pressure than can be explained by its size, weight, or concentration in plasma.