This test is used for the chromogenic determination of plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-antiplasmin) activity in human plasma. Alpha 2-antiplasmin is the major fast-acting inhibitor of the fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin and an important regulator of the fibrinolytic system.

Measurement of A2-antiplasmin provides a more complete assessment of disseminated intravascular coagulation, intravascular coagulation, fibrinolysis, and hyperfibrinolysis (primary fibrinolysis), when measured in combination with fibrinogen, D-dimers, and fibrinolysis products.

- Alpha-2-Macroglobulin is produced in the liver.

- Increased concentrations are associated with patients with some chronic liver diseases, nephrotic syndrome, and diabetes.

- Decreased concentrations are associated with patients with pancreatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple myeloma.

Alpha-aminoadipic acid (a-Aminoadipic acid) is an intermediary metabolite of lysine (primarily) and of tryptophan.

Alpha-Amino-N-butyric acid (α-ANB), also known as alpha-aminobutyric acid, is a nonessential amino acid derived from the catabolism of methionine, threonine, and serine.

α-ANB is both formed and metabolized by reactions which require vitamin B6 as a cofactor.

Amino Acid Analysis, Plasma - Amino Acid analysis is necessary for the diagnosis of a variety of inborn errors of metabolism. These include, but are not limited to, phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, citrullinemia, non-ketotic hyperglycinemia, maple syrup urine disease, and homocystinuria. The assay is also key for the continued monitoring of treatment plans for these disorders and useful for assessing nutritional status of patients.

Alpha amniobutyric acid (AABA), also known as Alpha-amino-N-butyric acid (A-ANB), is an intermediate formed during the catabolism of methionine and threonine. Increases in AABA occur secondary to elevations of either methionine or threonine. AABA becomes propionic acid via alpha-ketobutyric acid in the presence of adequate amounts of thiamin, vitamin B2(as FAD), vitamin B3(as NAD), lipoic acid and magnesium. Deficiencies of any of these, or vitamin B6, could cause increases in AABA. Elevated or decreased levels of the amino acid may indicate a congenital enzyme defect.

In ecology, Alpha Diversity describes a particular ecosystem by combining information about the number of species observed and their abundance. This marker evaluates your gut microbiome by looking at your own personal species diversity, which can be negatively affected by antibiotics, environmental toxins, stress, diet, or other factors. This can lead to the microbiome being dominated by only a few species. A high Alpha Diversity indicates that the ecosystem has many species and their abundance is balanced, which is typically associated with a healthy microbiome.

Other names: total AFP, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 Percent

Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP.

AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born, but fall to very low levels by the age of 1. An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body.

What is it used for?

An AFP tumor marker test may be used to:

- Help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles.
- Monitor cancer treatment. AFP levels often go up if cancer is spreading and go down when treatment is working.
- See if cancer has returned after treatment.
- Monitor the health of people with cirrhosis or hepatitis.

Why do I need an AFP tumor marker test?
You may need an AFP tumor marker test if a physical exam and/or other tests show there is a chance you have liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles. Your provider may order an AFP test to help confirm or rule out the results of other tests.

You may also need this test if you are currently being treated for one of these cancers, or recently completed treatment. The test can help your provider see if your treatment is working or if your cancer has come back after treatment.

In addition, you may need this test if you have a noncancerous liver disease. Certain liver diseases can put you at a higher risk of getting liver cancer.

Gliadin constitutes a class of proteins that are present in wheat and other cereal which give it the ability to rise properly when baked. The main types of gliadin are alpha, beta, gamma and omega gliadins. Research has suggested that antibody reactivity against all the above mentioned forms of gliadin are found in individuals with ‘Wheat related disorders.’

Human microflora is influenced by environmental factors and the competitive ecosystem of the organisms in the GI tract. Pathogenic significance should be based upon clinical symptoms.

Alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus refers to a group of gram-positive cocci bacteria within the Streptococcus genus. These bacteria exhibit alpha-hemolysis, a partial or "greening" hemolysis on blood agar.

Alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus can cause various infections in humans and animals, including streptococcal infections transmitted through coughs and sneezes. The viridans streptococci, another subgroup, are commensal bacteria that produce alpha-hemolysis.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is plant-based essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that must be obtained through the diet.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is plant-based essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that must be obtained through the diet.

Lipoic Acid is a sulfur-containing vitamin-like substance that is an important cofactor in energyproducing reactions in the production of cellular energy (ATP). Lipoic acid has been referred to as a “universal antioxidant” because it is soluble in both fat and water. It is capable of regenerating several other antioxidants back to their active reduced states, including vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione and coenzyme Q10. Alpha lipoic acid has several potential actions for the type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic. It reduces glycosylation reactions (attachment of sugar moieties to protein) and facilitates healing of diabetic nerve damage. Biochemical reactions utilizing lipoic acid occur within the mitochondria, where it functions critically in its antioxidant capacity.

Alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) is a peptide with diverse roles in the human body, particularly known for its involvement in skin pigmentation. It's a derivative of the larger pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) molecule, which is a precursor for several other hormones. The primary function of α-MSH is to stimulate the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color, by acting on melanocytes, the cells in the skin that produce melanin. This process is essential for skin tanning and plays a role in protecting skin from UV radiation.

Your phenotype or genotype are basically the letters given to the two alleles that make up your Alpha-1 gene. Your phenotype or genotype (e.g. ZZ, MZ, MS, etc.) is important because it can give you a general idea of how at risk you are.

Phenotypes and genotypes of Alpha-1 are reported as letters of the alphabet. These letter assignments were first made when starch gel electrophoresis was the common technique used for testing phenotypes. In this system, the phenotype was determined by how fast the AAT protein moved in a gel. The system was designed so the normal protein moved about halfway up the gel and, therefore, the normal protein was assigned a letter from the middle of the alphabet: M. The most common deficient AAT protein moved hardly at all and was assigned the letter Z.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a hereditary disorder in which a lack or low level of the enzyme alpha-1 antitrypsin damages the lungs and liver.

Protein in the serum is made up of albumin (∼ 60%) and globulin.

Globulins are divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins.

Alpha-2 globulins is a class of proteins that has many functions in the body and is involved in inflammation.

In a urine protein electrophoresis test, which is part of the panel including Total Protein and Protein Electrophoresis, 24 Hour Urine, the Alpha-1-Globulins percentage is an important parameter to consider. Alpha-1-globulins are a group of plasma proteins that include several important components, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and others.