Albumin infusion in humans does not model exercise induced hypervolaemia after 24 hours

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Human serum albumin is frequently used for plasma volume expansion.
• The duration of plasma volume and albumin expansion after infusion is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the persistence of plasma volume and albumin expansion following human serum albumin infusion over 24 hours.
• To test the hypotheses that plasma volume and albumin content expansion will not persist for 24 hours.

Main Methods:

• Rapid infusion of 5% human serum albumin in eight healthy men.
• Measurement of hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma volume (PV), albumin, total protein, osmolality, sodium, renin activity, aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic peptide.
• Serial measurements taken at pre-infusion, 1 hour, and 24 hours post-infusion.

Main Results:

• Plasma volume and albumin content significantly increased at 1 hour post-infusion (P < 0.05).
• By 24 hours, plasma volume and albumin content returned to pre-infusion levels.
• Plasma aldosterone concentration showed a significant effect of time (P < 0.05) and a trend to decrease at 2 hours post-infusion.

Conclusions:

• Infusion of human serum albumin leads to transient plasma volume and albumin expansion.
• The expanded volume and albumin do not persist in the vascular space for 24 hours.
• Fluid redistribution between intravascular and interstitial spaces likely occurs.