Abstract
Serum albumin is the most abundant blood plasma protein and is produced in the liver and forms a large proportion of all plasma protein. Its level is known as important predictor of future mortality/morbidity, and has been widely used in criteria and indeces for evaluation of nutritional condition and disorders including malignancy, chronic liver diseases and chronic kidney disease. The bromocresol green (BCG) assay has been most common in measuring albumin, but is not entirely specific; the dye also reacts also with serum globulins and acute-phase proteins, which are elevated in systemic inflammation. Such non-specific reactions are markedly depressed in modified bromocresol purple (mBCP) binding assay which now used in a significant number of laboratories and medical facilities. The average difference between the two methods is usually 0.3 g/dL which could easily alter the interpretation of clinical and nutritional assessment indices, diagnostic criteria and indication of therapeutic intervention. In addition, serum albumin level has been used to select candidate to receive administrating financial support. Therefore, appreciation of the methodology is essentially required when the absolute value of the serum albumin matters. In addition, published studies concerning serum albumin level should mention the assay method utilized.
