The effect of age on serum concentrations of albumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.

ABSTRACT

1. Human serum albumin (HSA) concentrations and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations were measured in 68 subjects, 35 males and 33 females, aged 20-90 years without evidence of acute or chronic inflammatory disease or malignancy. Subjects were drug free for at least 1 month. HSA and AAG concentrations were measured using rate nephelometry. 2. Age had no effect on alpha 1-acid glycoprotein concentration, whereas plasma albumin levels decreased as a function of age in both sexes. We observed no differences between males and females in the plasma concentrations of HSA and AAG. 3. These data show that in healthy subjects the HSA concentration decreases with increasing age, whereas age, uncomplicated by disease does not influence AAG concentration.