Store 2 - 8ºC.
PRINCIPLE OF THE METHOD
PRE-ALBUMIN is a quantitative turbidimetric test for the measurement of
prealbumin in human serum or plasma.
Anti-prealbumin antibodies when mixed with samples containing prealbumin, form
insoluble complexes. These complexes cause an absorbance change, dependent
upon the prealbumin concentration of the patient sample, that can be quantified by
comparison from a calibrator of know prealbumin concentration.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The prealbumin is a non-glycosilated protein synthesized mainly in the liver and
choroid plexus of the brain. It binds and transport approximately 10% of serum
thyroxin and triiodothyronine, and also plays a role in the transport of vitamin A in
complex with retinal-binding protein.
Prealbumin is the earliest laboratory indicator of nutritional status and has emerged
as the preferred marker for malnutrition because it correlates with patient outcomes
in wide variety of clinical conditions. It is also a negative acute phase protein; serum
levels fall in inflammation and malignancy, as well as cirrhosis, protein-losing
enteropathy and zinc deficiency. However, the presence of a prealbumin producing
tumor or Hodgkin’s disease will increase serum concentrations.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
- Spintech 240 autoanalizer
- Laboratory equipment.
SAMPLES
Fresh serum or plasma. EDTA or heparin should be used as anticoagulant. Stable
7 days at 2-8ºC or 3 months at –20ºC.
The samples with presence of fibrin should be centrifuged before testing.
Do not use highly hemolized or lipemic samples.
QUALITY CONTROL
Control sera are recommended to monitor the performance of manual and
automated assay procedures. It should be used the SPINREACT PROT CONTROL
(Ref.:1102004). Each laboratory should establish its own Quality Control scheme
and corrective actions if controls do not meet the acceptable tolerances.
REFERENCE VALUES2
Between 20 - 40 mg/dL. Each laboratory should establish its own reference range.
INTERFERENCES
Hemoglobin (16 g/L), bilirubin (40 mg/dL), rheumatoid factors (200 IU/mL), do not
interfere. Lipemia (≥ 8 g/L), interfere. Other substances may interfere 5,6.
