Albumin normally constitutes about 60 % of human plasma protein and
plays an important role in regulating blood volume by maintaining the oncoosmotic pressure of blood needed to avoid edema, and by serving as the carrier for hydrophobic molecules, including lipid soluble hormones, bile salts, unconjugated bilirubin, free fatty acids (apoprotein),
calcium,
ions (transferrin), and some drugs (e.g., warfarin, phenobutazone, clofibrate & phenytoin).
Magnesium also
plays a role in the active transport of
calcium and potassium
ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm [3].