Plasma Proteins

Dr Navpreet Mann
Deptt of Physiology
 Introduction
Extracellular Fluid RBC

Interstitial
Fluid Blood
WBC

Plasma
Cellular Plasma
elements
 Separation of Components

• Ultracentrifugation
• Cohn’s fractionation
• Immunoelectro - 55%

phoresis
45%
• Salt precipitation
 Plasma proteins

• 6.4- 8.3 gm%

• Albumin 3.5-5 gm%
• Globulin 2-3 gm%
• Fibrinogen 0.2-0.45
• Prothrombin 0.03

• A/G Ratio = 1.7 : 1

 Sites of Synthesis
• Embryo: Mesenchymal cells
• Adult:
• Albumin, Fibrinogen: RE cells of Liver
• Globulin (α,β): Liver, spleen & bone marrow
• Globulin (γ): B lymphocytes
 Properties of
plasma proteins
 Molecular weight
• Albumin: 69000
• Globulin: 90000-156000
• Fibrinogen: 500000
• Prothrombin: 68000
Osmotic pressure: 25mm Hg
Specific gravity: 1.026
• Can ionise either as acid or base
Due to side chain amino group -NH2- &
carboxyl group -COOH-

Proteins act as
• anion in alkaline solution
• cation in acidic solution
 Functions of
plasma proteins
 1. Maintenance of
Colloidal osmotic pressure
• Oncotic pressure/ C.O.P
• 28 mm Hg
• 19- proteins
• 9- Donnan effect

• NFP = Pc - Pif - Пp + Пif

 NFP is +ve

net fluid filtration

across the capillaries Protein

NFP is –ve

net fluid absorption

from interstitial spaces into the capillaries
 Colloidal osmotic pressure
• COP: arterial end 15-25
30-40 10-15
mmHg > venous end mmHg mmHg

• Fluid “filters” out of

capillaries: arterial end

• Venous end reabsorbs back

 Net filtration pressure
arterial end
Fluid outwards
Hydrostatic Pressure (Capillary) 30
Negative Hydrostatic Pr (Interstitium) 3
C.O.P. (Interstitium) 8
41
Fluid inwards
C.O.P. (Capillary) 28
N.F.P. = +13 mmHg
Arterial end

Hydrostatic P = 30mm Hg
Osmotic P = 28 mm Hg

Hydrostatic P = - 3 mm Hg
Osmotic P = 8 mm Hg
• Promoting= 30+ 3+ 8= 41
• Opposing= 28
NFP = 41 – 28 = +13mm Hg (filtration)
 Net filtration pressure
venous end
Fluid outwards
Hydrostatic Pressure (Capillary) 10
Hydrostatic Pressure (Interstitium) 3
C.O.P. (Interstitium) 8
21
Fluid inwards
C.O.P. (Capillary) 28
N.F.P. = -7 mmhg
 Venous end

Hydrostatic P = 10 mm Hg
Osmotic P = 28 mm Hg

Hydrostatic P = - 3 mm Hg
Osmotic P = 8 mm Hg

• Promoting= 10+ 3+ 8 = 21
• Opposing= 28
NFP = 21 – 28 = -7mm hg (reabsorption)
 2. Viscosity
• Shape & size
Less symmetrical the molecule
Greater the viscosity
Greater resistance
Higher BP
• Fibrinogen fibrillar
• Lowest conc
 3. Buffering action
• Proteins contribute 15%

total capacity

• Acidic pH -NH2- acts base

accepts proton

• Basic pH -COOH- acts acid

donates proton
 4. Defense mechanism
Mainly gamma globulins against microorganisms
 5. Coagulation
• Prothrombin • Fibrinogen
 6. Fibrinolytic function
• Digests
intravascular clot
(Thrombus)

• Saves from
intravascular
thrombosis
7. Suspension Stability
• Property of RBCs to
remain suspended

• Globulin &
Fibrinogen

mainly responsible
Aggregation

Sedimentation
 8. Transport
• Hormones
• Thyroxine: Thyroxine binding globulin (TBG)
• Cortisol: Transcortin
• Vitamins
• A,D,E: HDL, LDL
• B12 : Transcobalamin
• Metals
• Iron: Transferrin Copper: Ceruloplasmin
 9. Reservoir
• Serve as a reservoir from
which the same are
released slowly
• Fasting/ Starvation
• Depletion- proteins
• Excessive catabolism