What proteins typically spike on electrophoresis during acute inflammation?

What proteins typically spike on electrophoresis during acute inflammation?

• A. Increase in alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins
• B. Increase in beta and gamma globulins
• C. Decrease in albumin
• D. Decrease in alpha-2 and beta globulins

Answer: (A)

During acute inflammation, the body's response includes the production of acute-phase proteins, which are a type of plasma protein that typically shows a significant increase during inflammatory processes. Alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins are crucial components of this acute-phase response.

Alpha-1 globulin includes proteins like alpha-1 antitrypsin, which helps protect tissues from enzymes of inflammatory cells, while alpha-2 globulin includes proteins such as haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin, which increase in concentration to help manage oxidative stress and bind free hemoglobin released during tissue injury. These proteins play a vital role in modulating the body's response to inflammation, aiding in tissue repair, and fighting infections.

The increase in alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins is a hallmark of the acute phase response, distinguishing it from other situations such as chronic inflammation or other conditions where different patterns of protein changes may occur. This is why the spike in these particular proteins is expected and indicative of acute inflammation.