Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate molecules based on their size and charge. It is a valuable tool that can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of diseases.
One of the most common uses of electrophoresis is to diagnose multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that produce antibodies. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells become cancerous and produce an abnormal protein called a monoclonal protein. This protein can be detected by electrophoresis.
Other diseases that can be diagnosed with electrophoresis include:
Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Primary amyloidosis
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Lymphoma
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Thyroid disease
In addition to diagnosing diseases, electrophoresis can also be used to monitor the progress of a disease and to assess the effectiveness of treatment. For example, electrophoresis can be used to measure the level of monoclonal protein in a patient with multiple myeloma. If the level of monoclonal protein decreases after treatment, it is a sign that the treatment is working.
Hello Bahaa Kargule
Protein Electrophoresis is done to identify some unique kind of protein in the body to detect specific diseases. Body fluids, such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contain many different proteins that have various roles, such as transporting nutrients, removing toxins, and controlling body functions.
The various proteins in body fluids are subjected to a controlled electric current (electrophoresis) fractionating them into a typical pattern of bands or peaks that then can be measured. The proteins are divided into six groups, called prealbumin (rarely detected on serum or urine protein electrophoresis), albumin, alpha 1 globulins, alpha 2 globulins, beta globulins, and gamma globulins. The beta fraction may be further divided into beta 1 and beta 2 subgroups. Each of these protein groups (electrophoresis fractions) is distinct and at specific concentrations. The patterns typically seen in certain conditions and diseases can help with diagnosis.
Various conditions and diseases can affect protein production and/or protein loss, thus changing the pattern of bands seen on protein electrophoresis. For instance, any problems with the kidney or liver, or if one is having trouble with the uncontrolled growth and division of a malignant plasma cell leading to the production of large amounts of a single type of immunoglobulin (multiple myeloma). The doctor may use the results of protein electrophoresis to make a diagnosis or decide on the course of treatment. But further investigation will usually be needed to make a definitive diagnosis, for instance, use of immunofixation electrophoresis or immunosubtraction electrophoresis to identify abnormal bands seen on protein electrophoresis.
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So we use electrophoresis to separate proteins (SDS PAGE) and hence it can be used to identify different types and categories of proteins which are having a significance in diverse range of diseases.
One can study Antibodies, Physiological Enzymes etc. depending upon their interests.
Immunoeletrophoresis has been extensively used this way to understand the role of proteins.
The protein electrophoresis test is also used to diagnose other conditions affecting the plasma cells. These include Waldenström macroglobulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and primary amyloidosis. Protein electrophoresis can also be used to help diagnose: Thyroid problems
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