Plasma contains water, salts, enzymes and other proteins that help blood clot. Blood plasma can be separated into various components and medicines called blood plasma derivatives which are used to treat life-threatening conditions.

Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are proteins produced by plasma cells that help the body fight infections. Blood Plasma Derivatives There are five main types of immunoglobulins - IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy uses concentrated immunoglobulins extracted from donated plasma to treat patients with primary immunodeficiencies who have low or absent immunoglobulin levels. The most commonly used immunoglobulin preparations are intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg). IVIg is administered through a vein while SCIg is given under the skin using an injection. Both forms of immunoglobulin therapy help boost antibody levels and provide protection against bacteria and viruses.

Coagulation Factors

Blood plasma derivatives are also used to treat patients who lack specific blood clotting factors as a result of certain genetic bleeding disorders. The most common bleeding disorders are hemophilia A which results from a factor VIII deficiency and hemophilia B or Christmas disease arising from a lack of factor IX. Purified and concentrated forms of factors VIII and IX extracted from plasma are given to hemophiliacs through infusions to temporarily replace the missing clotting factors and prevent spontaneous bleeding into joints and muscles. Other coagulation factor concentrates prepared from plasma include prothrombin complex concentrate and factor VII concentrate.

Albumin

Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein produced in the liver. It contributes to over half of the colloid osmotic pressure of blood and helps maintain proper distribution of fluid between blood vessels and body tissues. Albumin solutions extracted from plasma are commonly used for volume expansion in patients undergoing surgery or suffering from cirrhosis, burns or other conditions causing severe loss of albumin in the body. It can also be administered to treat low blood volume issues due to internal bleeding, liver disease or infection. Albumin'sproperties as a plasma expander and transporter of molecules such as drugs, metals and hormones make it an important plasma derivative for clinical use.

Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV)

Immune Globulin Intravenous or IGIV is a plasma derivative prepared from pooled donations of plasma from thousands of donors. It contains concentrated polyclonal antibodies which are injected intravenously. IGIV is effective in treating various primary immunodeficiency disorders by providing immediate, albeit temporary, antibody protection. IGIV injections may also be used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Kawasaki disease and Guillain-Barré syndrome by suppressing autoantibody production and modulation of the immune system. As an intravenous medication, IGIV acts faster than subcutaneous immunoglobulin but needs to be administered in a clinic or hospital setting by a healthcare professional.

Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor

Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1-PI) also known as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a plasma glycoprotein produced in the liver. It functions as an anti-protease, primarily protecting the lungs from damage due to neutrophil elastase released during inflammation. People with genetic AAT deficiency have low levels of this inhibitor and are prone to lung and liver diseases. Purified human AAT purified from plasma through a process called plasma fractionation can be given intravenously or through inhalation to AAT-deficient patients. AAT augmentation therapy reduces the progression of AAT-related lung disease and improves lung function.

Fibrin Sealants

Fibrin sealants are hemostatic agents prepared by extracting fibrinogen and thrombin from human plasma. When these components are combined together in spray form through a special applicator, they mimic the final stages of the coagulation cascade and rapidly form a fibrin clot to achieve hemostasis at surgical sites. As an adhesive tissue sealant, fibrin sealants are increasingly being used in cardiothoracic, vascular, neurologic and general surgeries to reduce intraoperative bleeding and promote wound sealing. They provide a safe and effective alternative to sutures or other hemostatic measures.

Uses
To summarize, blood plasma derivatives like immunoglobulins, clotting factor concentrates, albumin, alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor and fibrin sealants play an invaluable role in modern medicine by helping treat life-threatening deficiencies, immunological disorders and surgical/trauma conditions. With the exception of fibrin sealants which are laboratory-prepared, all major plasma proteins are fractionated from donated human plasma on an industrial scale through complex purification processes. Blood plasma derivatives form an essential component of transfusion medicine and continue saving lives worldwide through replacement or supplementation therapy.

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