Lymphoid function is important - if it is overwhelmed by increased capillary permeability or fluid flux then oedema will occur. Disease processes associated with Hypoalbuminaemia Malnutrition Serum albumin does not appear to decrease in starvation. There is a small loss of albumin in dialysis circuits. In normal pregnancy there is an increase in plasma volume. In PET there is a paradoxical decrease in plasma volume and capillary leak syndrome.
Interleukins cause a marked decease in synthesis of plasma proteins other than albumin.
Initial decrease in albumin associated with increase in acute phase proteins. Trauma Increased redistribution and transcapillary escape of albumin. Surgery Decreased serum albumin preoperatively is an independent indicator of poor outcome. Sepsis SIRS - associated with increased capillary permeability, due to the effects, amongst others, of bacterial endotoxin and cytotoxic T cells. In sepsis there is a profound reduction in plasma albumin associated with marked fluid shifts.