Albumin: Pathophysiologic basis of its role in the treatment of cirrhosis and its complications
Rita Garcia‐Martinez, Paolo Caraceni, Mauro Bernardi, Pere Gines, Vicente Arroyo, Rajiv Jalan – 19 February 2013 – Since the introduction of human serum albumin as a plasma expander in the 1940s, considerable research has allowed a better understanding of its biochemical properties and potential clinical benefits. Albumin has a complex structure, which is responsible for a variety of biological functions. In disease, the albumin molecule is susceptible to modifications that may alter its biological activity.