Albumin is the main protein found in blood plasma. It is produced in the liver and maintains pressure that keeps fluid circulating inside blood vessels. Albumin also helps transport molecules, such as hormones, fatty acids, and toxins, and defends against infection and injury. Naturally occurring human serum albumin has a short half-life of only 19-20 days in the body. This short shelf life poses challenges for clinical use and mass production.

Development of Recombinant Human Albumin

Recombinant human albumin was developed to address the limitations of using purified human albumin derived from blood donations. rHu Albumin is produced using recombinant DNA technology, allowing albumin to be manufactured in laboratories rather than relying on human blood donations. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are genetically engineered to produce albumin identical to the human version. The cells are then cultured in bioreactors to mass-produce human albumin. This manufacturing process ensures a consistent supply of safe, pathogen-free rHu Albumin without the risks of blood-borne diseases or shortages.

Clinical Applications of rHu Albumin

Trauma and burns - It maintains colloid osmotic pressure and treats hypovolemic shock resulting from blood or fluid loss due to trauma, burns, and other injuries.

- Liver disease - Albumin functions are impaired in conditions like cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. rHu Albumin supplementation helps restore albumin functions and improve patient condition and survival.

- Surgery - It maintains circulating volume during surgery and reduces the need for infusions of crystalloids that can increase bleeding risks. It protects against cardiac strain and postoperative complications.

- Nephrology - It treats nephrotic syndrome, which causes albumin loss in the urine and increased risk of edema. It also improves hemodynamics in patients undergoing hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy.

- Infection and sepsis - It fights infection and modulates inflammation and redox reactions. It is used as an adjunct treatment for severe infections, sepsis, and multi-organ failure.