Consequences of an altered antitrypsin level | Alpha-1-antitrypsin

Consequences of an altered antitrypsin level

The increase in alpha-1-antitrypsin itself has hardly any negative consequences for the body and is a normal reaction to abnormal processes in the body. The change in value is therefore an indication of possibly pathological processes in the body, which in turn lead to symptoms of illness. In this case, further diagnostics should be made to find the reason for the increase.

Alpha-2-antitrypsin

Alpha-2-antitrypsin does not exist in this form. However, in gel electrophoresis, which gives alpha-1-antitrypsin its name, there is also an alpha-2 fraction. Proteins found in this fraction are elevated during various inflammatory reactions in the body.

Some of these proteins belong to the acute phase proteins. The causes of an increase can be tissue necrosis, acute infections, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and tumours. The increase is therefore often similar to the increase in the alpha-1 fraction.

The increase is particularly strong in the case of nephrotic syndrome, as this is a relative value and the other proteins are lost via the diseased kidney. Lower values are found with liver damage and increased blood breakdown.

All articles in this series:

  1. Alpha-1-antitrypsin
  2. What happens in Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency?
  3. Consequences of an altered antitrypsin level