Serum Protein Fractions by Electrophoresis

Performing serum protein fractions, six are distinguished: albumins, α1-globulins, α2-globulins, β1-globulins, β2-globulins, and γ-globulins. When determining a proteinogram, various peaks may be found in atypical places. The most common is the so-called M-gradient, which usually indicates the synthesis of pathological paraprotein in the body.

Albumin increase is characteristic of dehydration (along with an increase in hematocrit). Albumin decrease is characteristic of nephrotic syndrome, liver pathologies, intestinal diseases, malabsorption, cachexia, congenital albumin genetic defects (analbuminemia, bisalbuminemia).

Globulin increase and decrease can occur for a variety of reasons.

α1-globulins increase due to inflammation, tumors; necrotic processes; parasitic diseases. They decrease due to α1-antitrypsin deficiency in the body (a congenital genetic defect that leads to the development of emphysema and cirrhosis), α1-antitrypsin concentration in serum can be measured directly; protein loss, neonatal respiratory insufficiency.

α2-globulins increase due to inflammation (proteins within the fraction are mediators of inflammation); tumors, especially kidney cancer, lung cancer; nephrotic syndrome; rheumatism; pregnancy; diabetes, necrotic processes; parasitic diseases. They decrease due to hemolysis (because hemolysis significantly reduces haptoglobin concentration); liver pathologies; acute hepatotoxic effects; blood transfusions; surgical trauma.

β-globulins increase due to iron deficiency anemia; estrogen treatment; hyperlipoproteinemia; pregnancy. They decrease due to inflammation; chronic infections; malignant tumors; chronic liver diseases; nephrotic syndrome; enteropathy and protein loss.

γ-globulins increase due to Multiple Myeloma and other paraproteinemias. In cases of unclear symptoms, it is found that malignant diseases usually show a gradual increase in the γ-globulin fraction, finding the M-gradient and other signs. It is important to evaluate how the γ-globulin fraction changes over time (gradual increase or stable concentration); benign monoclonal gammopathies; amyloidosis; malignant lymphomas; acute inflammatory processes; liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis; bronchial asthma; tuberculosis; sarcoidosis. They decrease due to nephrotic syndrome; B-lymphocyte proliferative diseases, lympholeukemia, lymphosarcoma, lymphogranulomatosis; multiple myeloma (Bence-Jones protein, light chains in urine); Treatment with immunosuppressants, steroids, cytostatics; respiratory lung diseases; eczema; widespread purulent infections; congenital hypogammaglobulinemias; AIDS terminal stages; radiation sickness.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended to perform prophylactically once a year, periodically for disease diagnosis and treatment control according to a doctor's instructions.
• Test results are influenced by medications, diet (food supplements).
• It is necessary to arrive fasting for 12 hours before sample collection.