Difference Between Albumin and Globulin

Albumin vs Globulin

Human blood is mainly composed of cellular components, which includered and whiteblood cells,platelets, and bloodplasma. Blood plasma is composed of plasma proteins, water, and other solutes. The major compound of blood plasma is water which represents 91.5% of the total plasma volume. Blood proteins constitute only 7% of plasma volume. Albumin, globulin, fibrinogen are the major types of blood proteins found in the plasma. Theliveris the responsible organ to produce most of the blood proteins. Out of these three proteins, albumin and globulin represents more than 90% of blood proteins. Thus, the ratio of albumin/globulin (A/G ratio) is used to get a quick view of a patient’s proteins status. Plasma proteins are important in transporting substances such asenzymes, hormones,antibodies, clotting agents etc.

Albumin

Albumin is the major plasma protein in the blood, which constitutes 54% of all blood proteins present in the blood plasma. It is the first human protein, which was produced in plants (tobacco and potato) by genetic engineering. Albumin is produced in the liver using dietary proteins and has half-life of 17-20 days. It is acarrier proteincarrying fatty acids, calcium,cortisol、某些染料和胆红素通过等离子体,and it also contributes to the oncotic pressure of colloidal proteins.

Deficiency of albumin indicates poor health. The level of albumin may be elevated due todehydration, congestiveheart failure, poor protein utilization etc., whereas it may be decreased due tohypothyroidism, chronic debilitating diseases, malnutrition, skin losses etc.

Globulin

Globulin is a major protein found in blood plasma, which serves as a carrier ofsteroidand lipid hormones, and fibrinogen; which is needed for blood clotting. There are several types of globulin with various functions and can be divided into four fractions namely; alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin, and gamma globulin. These four fractions can be obtained separately through the process of protein electrophoresis. Gamma globulin makes the largest portion of all globulin proteins. The globulin level may be increased due to chronic infections, liver diseases, carcinoid syndrome, etc, whereas it may be decreased due to nephrosis, acute hemolytic anemia, liver dysfunction etc.

What is the difference between Albumin and Globulin?

• Blood plasma contains approximately 54% of albumin and 38% of globulin.

• Albumin exerts more oncotic pressure than globulin.

• The molecular diameter of globulin is higher than that of albumin.

• Albumin is one specific protein, whereas there are four fractions of globulin.

• Albumin is a carrier of fatty acids, calcium, cortisol, certain dyes and bilirubin, whereas globulin is a carrier of steroid and lipid hormones, and fibrinogen.