The amount of circulating albumin in normal humans

Abstract

The amount and range of circulating albumin in 40 normal humans (20 females and 20 males) was estimated by determination of plasma volume with T-1824 (Evans blue) and serum albumin concentration with Kjeldahl analysis and paper electrophoresis. The agreement between plasma and blood volume in this material and in other reports was checked and confirmed. The blood volume measured deviated slightly (4 9.4% in females and -3.8% in males) from the values calculated by the formulas given by Alien et al. (1956). The average amount of circulating albumin in 40 normal adults was 2.03 g/kg and the range (mean [plus or minus] 2 s) 1.63-2.43 g/kg. The equation of regression was: y = 1.67 x [plus or minus] 23.4, where y = circulating albumin in g and x = body weight in kg. No significant sex difference was found for circulating albumin in g/kg, but related to surface area a significant difference was found, the mean value in females being 71.9 [plus or minus] 1.3(e) g/m2, in males 78.7 [plus or minus] 1.6 g/m2. For estimating the normal amount of circulating albumin it is most convenient to use the mean value in g/kg, because there is no sex difference. Regression equations are not recommended, as they are laborious, and the accuracy is only slightly improved.