Protein (total)

Plasma proteins are synthesised predominantly in the liver, plasma cells, lymph nodes, the spleen and bone marrow. In the course of disease the total protein concentration and also the percentage represented by individual fractions can significantly deviate from normal values. Changes in the relative percentage of one plasma protein can be due to a change in the percentage of one protein fraction. Often in such cases the amount of total protein does not change. The A/G ratio is commonly used as an index of the distribution of the albumin and globulin fractions. Marked changes in this ratio can be observed in cirrhosis of the liver, glomerularnephritis, nephrotic syndrome, acute hepatitis, lupus erythramotosus, as well as in certain acute and chronic inflammations.