The calcium binding of human serum albumin in health and disease

Abstract

The Ca binding capacity of 62 human albumins isolated from 48 persons was examined. The mean binding capacity of albumin separated from normal individuals calculated as mg. Ca/g. albumin N is 4.7 [plus or minus] 0.9 (P = 0.01). There is no significant variatior between the ages of 2 and 91 yrs. nor with sex. Of the 10 patients suffering from chronic renal damage, 8 had significantly raised levels of Ca binding. The level varied with the course of the disease. The albumins from patients with tumors of the parathyroid had raised Ca binding prior to operation. Of the albumins studied from patients after operation 3 gave normal levels, these being from patients in whom there was no evidence of renal impairment.