Abstract
Background and aimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate structural and functional alterations of human serum albumin (HSA), with a special focus on the oxidized and reduced forms, in patients with chronic liver disease. We also investigated whether oral branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation could induce structural changes and improve the functions of HSA.MethodsThe proportion of reduced and oxidized HSA was determined in 16 healthy controls and in 20 chronic hepatitis and 100 cirrhotic patients with stable conditions. To evaluate the functional properties of HSA, this study focused on the antioxidant and binding functions. The radical scavenging activity and binding ability of purified HSA were measured in 68 participants. After BCAA administration for 6 months, 29 patients were evaluated for HSA structural changes, with 19 out of the 29 patients also analyzed for HSA functional changes.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in the amounts of reduced HSA in conjunction with liver disease progression. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the levels of reduced HSA had high accuracy in determining disease progression. Functional alterations were strongly correlated to the levels of reduced HSA. BCAA supplementation led to substantial increases in the amount of reduced HSA. The altered HSA was able to scavenge significantly more radicals and restore the binding ability.ConclusionThis study describes structural alterations and functional disturbances of HSA in patients with chronic liver disease, and indicates that the levels of reduced HSA might reflect disease progression and the functional properties of HSA. Moreover, oral BCAA supplementation increases the amount of reduced HSA, thereby leading to the restoration of HSA function in cirrhotic patients.
Highlights
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant plasma protein, and has been considered to play a physiological role as a plasma expander [1]
There was a significant decrease in the amount of total human serum albumin (HSA) with the progression of liver disease (Fig. 2a)
There was a significant increase in the ratio of oxidized HSA to total HSA (Fig. 2b)
Summary
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant plasma protein, and has been considered to play a physiological role as a plasma expander [1]. Since extracellular fluids contain only small amounts of antioxidant enzymes, it has been proposed that circulating albumin may play a crucial role as a major antioxidant in the plasma [3, 4]. Because of post-translational modifications such as nitration, glycation, and oxidation, HSA exhibits structural microheterogeneity. These modifications are known to regulate the functional diversity of albumin. The aim of this study was to evaluate structural and functional alterations of human serum albumin (HSA), with a special focus on the oxidized and reduced forms, in patients with chronic liver disease. We investigated whether oral branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation could induce structural changes and improve the functions of HSA
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
