Ceruloplasmin | Laboratory research

General Information

Ceruloplasmin

Ceruloplasmin in the blood – a test that measures ceruloplasmin, a protein produced by the liver. Its main role is to transport copper in the blood and regulate iron metabolism. The test is especially important Wilson's disease, in diagnosing copper deficiency and liver function disorders.

Ceruloplasmin is a copper-binding alpha-2 globulin. 70% of total serum copper is transported by ceruloplasmin, 7% by a high molecular weight protein (transcuprein), 19% by albumin, and the remaining 2% by various amino acids.

Ceruloplasmin is synthesized in liver cells, in an amount of 6 mg/kg of body weight per day. Copper is incorporated into ceruloplasmin during its synthesis in the liver. Copper atoms give ceruloplasmin a blue color. After copper is incorporated, ceruloplasmin molecules are transported to copper-consuming tissues, where copper is released and protein is broken down. Excretion is carried out through the biliary tract.

In addition to transporting copper, ceruloplasmin also performs other functions:

• Divalent Fe ²⁺Oxidation of iron to trivalent ricin Fe ³⁺ .
• Antioxidant activity, thereby protecting cell membrane lipoproteins from oxidation
• Anti-inflammatory activity, via blocking serum histamine

Low ceruloplasmin concentrations are observed in Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration). The mechanism of this disease is a violation of the process of copper incorporation into the ceruloplasmin molecule and the accumulation of copper in the liver and other tissues.

The acquired form of ceruloplasmin deficiency is caused by protein-losing pathologies and liver failure.

Because ceruloplasmin is an acute phase reactant, its concentration increases during acute or chronic inflammatory processes.