Serum protein electrophoresis
The serum electrophoresis is a medical laboratory study in which the proteins of the blood serum (serum proteins) are separated by electrophoresis (cellulose acetate gel or agarose gel). It is serum ( no more clotting factors included) used in electrophoresis. Plasma ( with coagulation factors ) is inappropriate because the fibrinogen contained therein in electrophoresis simulates a monoclonal band and is easily confused. There are also no hemolytic samples ( with destroyed blood cells) because the α2 - and β - fraction can be increased by hemolysis.
Depending on the migration in an electric field, a distinction is the following fractions:
For the evaluation of electrophoresis, it is crucial to be aware that the sum of the proteins shown represents always 100% of the serum protein. Reduces a fraction, the remaining fractions appear relatively increased, although in absolute terms are unchanged. Therefore, it is recommended to always the total protein concentration to determine parallel and taken into account.
If the globulins, i.e., the immunoglobulin ( IgG, IgA, IgM, often IgD, and IgE) are markedly reduced in the γ fraction, an immunodeficiency ( antibody deficiency syndromes, such as the variable immunodeficiency or agammaglobulinemia Bruton ) the be the cause.
If the γ - globulins fraction are increased - ie too many ( degenerate ) immunoglobulins are formed ( plasmacytoma ) - then one uses the immunofixation, to figure out what type of immunoglobulin produced the degenerate plasma cell.
If α1 and α2 are relatively increased ( increased renal loss of other proteins), this may indicate kidney damage.
If the γ - fraction, a "shoulder formation " occurs, it is a liver cirrhosis. Because of the reduced albumin with the formation of cirrhosis immunoglobulin fraction may be a compensatory increased to maintain oncotic pressure in the vascular system.
The investigation of the serum proteins is important for example in chronic inflammatory diseases, suspected monoclonal gammopathy or multiple myeloma and suspected antibody deficiency ( humoral immunodeficiency ).
- Laboratory Medicine
- Electrophoresis