Clinical Information

The role of the renal system in the conservation of plasma proteins has been recognized for some time. Under normal physiological conditions small molecular weight proteins, such as insulin, pass through the glomeruli in relatively large amounts. Intermediate size proteins, such as transferrin and albumin, also pass through in relatively small amounts. Most of these proteins are reabsorbed in the renal tubules.2, 3Most CSF protein originates by diffusion from plasma across the blood-CSF barrier. Elevated levels occur as a result of increased permeability of the blood-CSF barrier or with increased local synthesis of immunoglobulins.