Acute Phase Protein:- Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (α1-antitrypsin)
Acute-phase protein (Acute Phase Reactants)
- Acute-phase protein is raised in inflammatory conditions.
- When there is an increase in a protein called positive acute-phase protein.
- In the case of a decrease in the acute phase protein, it is called negative phase protein.
- The acute phase proteins (positive) are proteins whose concentration increases in the plasma, and after the disease episode is over, it decreases and may become normal.
Alpha-1–antitrypsin (AAT, α1-antitrypsin)
Sample
- It is done in the patient’s serum (collect 5 to 10 ml of blood).
- Serum electrophoresis may be advised.
Indications for Alpha-1-Antitrypsin
- In case of a family history of emphysema.
- Advised in children with cirrhosis.
- Advised of acute inflammation, infection, or malignancy (non-specific test).
- Drugs like oral contraceptives increase the AAT level.
Precautions for Alpha-1–antitrypsin (AAT, α1-antitrypsin)
- Serum level of AAT increases during pregnancy.
Pathophysiology of Alpha-1–antitrypsin (AAT, α1-antitrypsin)
- This is a naturally occurring protease inhibitor.
- This is synthesized and catabolized in the liver.
- This important inhibitor of neutrophil elastase is produced in phagocytosis by these cells.
- This enzyme reacts with elastin in the tracheobronchial tree and vascular endothelium.
- This enzyme prevents the loss of elastic tissue function.
- Its deficiency leads to premature emphysema.
- Its concentration increased much to fold in acute inflammation. It is increased in:
- Acute inflammatory disorders.
- Chronic inflammatory disorders.
- Stress.
- Any kind of infection.
- Thyroid infection.
- Cigarette smoke and volatile irritants lead to the release of proteolytic enzymes from the white blood cells.
- This is a disease called AAT deficiency, which is an inherited condition.
- This disease can transfer from parents to children.
- ATT is a protein that protects the lung. It is formed in the liver.
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin deficiency leads to:
- There is tiredness.
- There is weight loss.
- Repeated lung infections.
- There is shortness of breath and wheezing.
- There may be a vision problem.
- There may be tachycardia on standing.
- This is an increase in acute and chronic inflammation.
Normal level of Alpha-1–antitrypsin (AAT, α1-antitrypsin)
- Newborn = 145 to 270 mg/dL.
- Adult = 78 to 200 mg/dL.
- Adult > 60 years = 115 to 200 mg/dL.
- Serum electrophoresis showed 90% of ATT in the α1-globulin.
- Another source
- 85 to 213 mg/dL (0.85 to 2.13 g/L).
- Another source
- 100 to 200 mg/dL (18.4 to 36.8 µmol/L) by nephelometry.
- Another source
Test value for the layman:
- In the case of patients with emphysema.
- In children, if they develop cirrhosis or liver diseases.