serum electrophoresis

Introduction

serum electrophoresis assesses the relative and total amounts of various groups of proteins within the serum and these generally group into several bands as outlined below

raised level of globulins may be due to infection - a polyclonal increase in IgA suggests infection of respiratory or GI tracts

comprised of alpha1-antitrypsin, thyroid-binding globulin, and transcortin
may be raised in:
- pregnancy, malignancy and acute inflammation (resulting from acute-phase reactants)
decreased alpha1-protein band may occur because of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency or decreased production of the globulin as a result of liver disease

comprised of ceruloplasmin, alpha2-macroglobulin, and haptoglobin
may be raised as an acute phase reaction or in:
- adrenal insufficiency
- adrenocorticosteroid therapy
- advanced diabetes mellitus
- nephrotic syndrome
may be lowered in:
- malnutrition
- megaloblastic anaemia
- protein-losing enteropathies
- severe liver disease

beta-1 band is composed mostly of transferrin
beta-2 band is comprised of beta-lipoprotein. IgA, IgM, and sometimes IgG, along with complement proteins
raised beta band proteins:
- biliary cirrhosis
- malignancy
- Cushing's disease
- some cases of diabetes
- hypothyroidism
- iron defic anaemia
- malignant hypertension
- nephrosis
- polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)
- obstructive jaundice
- 3rd TM pregnancy
decreased beta band proteins:
- protein malnutrition

C reactive protein (CRP) is located in the area between the beta and gamma components