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Plasma Protein Carrier Function

Meaning

Plasma Protein Carrier Function describes the essential biological role of specific proteins, such as Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) and albumin, that circulate in the blood and reversibly bind to lipophilic hormones like steroids and thyroid hormones. This function ensures the transport of these hydrophobic hormones throughout the aqueous body environment, regulates their bioavailability to target tissues, and protects them from rapid metabolic clearance. Maintaining healthy carrier protein levels is crucial for accurate assessment of the free, active hormone concentrations available to cells.