What is biochemistry? Biological or physiological biochemistry is the science of the chemical processes that underlie the life of an organism and those that occur inside the cell. The purpose of biochemistry (the term comes from the Greek word "bios" - "life") as a science is the study of chemicals, the structure and metabolism of cells, the nature and methods of its regulation, the mechanism of energy supply for processes inside cells.
Medical biochemistry: the essence and goals of science
Medical biochemistry - what is it? This is a branch of biological chemistry that studies the chemical composition of the cells of the human body, the metabolism in it (including in pathological conditions). After all, any disease, even in an asymptomatic period, will inevitably leave its mark on the chemical processes in cells, the properties of molecules, which will be reflected in the results of biochemical analysis. Without knowledge of biochemistry, it is impossible to find the cause of the development of the disease and the way to effectively treat it.
Biochemical blood test
What is a blood biochemistry test? A biochemical blood test is one of the methods of laboratory diagnostics in many areas of medicine (for example, endocrinology, therapy, gynecology).
It helps to accurately diagnose the disease and examine the blood sample for the following parameters:
- alanine aminotransferase (AlAT, ALT);
- cholesterol or cholesterol;
- bilirubin;
- urea;
- alpha-amylase, pancreatic amylase, diastase;
- glucose, lipase;
- aspartate aminotransferase (AST, AsAT);
- gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), gamma GT (glutamyl transpeptidase);
- creatinine, protein;
- antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus.
For the he alth of every person, it is important to know what blood biochemistry is, and to understand that its indicators will not only provide all the data for an effective treatment regimen, but also help prevent disease. Deviations from normal indicators are the first signal that something is wrong in the body.
Blood chemistry for liver examination: significance and purpose
Besides, biochemical diagnostics will allow to monitor the dynamics of the disease and the results of treatment, to create a complete picture of metabolism, deficiency of microelements in the work of organs. For example, liver biochemistry will become a mandatory analysis for people with impaired liver function. What's this? This is the name of a biochemical blood test to study the quantity and quality of liver enzymes. If their synthesis is disturbed, then this condition threatens the development of diseases, inflammatory processes.
Specific liver biochemistry
Liver biochemistry - what is it? The human liver is made up of water, proteins,enzymes, lipids, glycogen. Its tissues contain minerals: copper, iron, nickel, manganese, so the biochemical study of liver tissues is a very informative and quite effective analysis. The most important enzymes in the liver are glucokinase, hexokinase. The most sensitive to biochemical tests are such liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP). As a rule, the study focuses on the performance of these substances.
To fully and successfully monitor their he alth, everyone should know what "biochemistry analysis" is.
Fields of research in biochemistry and the importance of correctly interpreting test results
What does biochemistry study? First of all, metabolic processes, the chemical composition of the cell, the chemical nature and function of enzymes, vitamins, acids. It is possible to evaluate blood counts by these parameters only if the analysis is correctly deciphered. If all is well, then blood counts for various parameters (glucose level, protein, blood enzymes) should not deviate from the norm. Otherwise, this should be regarded as a signal of a malfunction of the body.
Deciphering biochemistry
How to decipher the numbers in the analysis results? Below is a transcript of the analysis of blood biochemistry according to the main indicators.
Glucose
The level of glucose shows the quality of the process of carbohydrate metabolism. The boundary norm of the content should not exceed 5.5 mmol / l. If the level is lowerthen this may indicate diabetes, endocrine diseases, liver problems. Elevated glucose levels may be due to diabetes, exercise, hormonal medications.
Protein
The norm of protein content in the blood is 65-85 g/l. A low result indicates a violation of the functioning of the kidneys, liver, chronic diseases, poor nutrition, dehydration. A high protein level is a signal of an inflammatory process.
Cholesterol
The norm of cholesterol in the blood is 2, 97-8, 79 mmol / l. Its level, even in a he althy person, depends on gender, age, physical activity, and sometimes the season. High cholesterol signals a possible atherosclerosis of blood vessels, heart disease.
Urea
This is the name of the end product of protein breakdown. In a he althy person, it should be completely excreted from the body with urine. If this does not happen, and it enters the blood, then it is necessary to check the work of the kidneys.
Hemoglobin
This is a protein in red blood cells that saturates the cells of the body with oxygen. Norm: for men - 130-160 g / l, for girls - 120-150 g / l. A low level of hemoglobin in the blood is considered one of the indicators of developing anemia.
Biochemical blood test for blood enzymes (AlAT, AsAT, CPK, amylase)
Enzymes are responsible for the full functioning of the liver, heart, kidneys, pancreas. Without the right amount of them, a complete exchange of amino acids is simply impossible.
The norm for the content of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (AlAT, ALT) is 41 units / l for men, up to 31units/l for women. An increased content indicates a malfunction of the heart, liver, possibly viral hepatitis.
The level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, AST - a cellular enzyme of the heart, kidneys, liver) should not be higher than 41 and 31 units / l for men and women, respectively. Otherwise, this may indicate the development of hepatitis, heart disease.
Lipase (an enzyme that breaks down fats) plays an important role in metabolism and should not exceed 190 units/l. An elevated level signals a violation of the pancreas.
It is hard to overestimate the importance of biochemical analysis for blood enzymes. What is biochemistry and what it explores, every person who cares about their he alth must know.
Amylase
This enzyme is found in the pancreas and saliva. It is responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates and their absorption. Norm - 28-100 units / l. Its high content in the blood may indicate kidney failure, cholecystitis, diabetes mellitus, peritonitis.
The results of a biochemical blood test are recorded in a special form, which indicates the levels of substances. Often this analysis is prescribed as an additional one to clarify the proposed diagnosis. When deciphering the results of blood biochemistry, keep in mind that they are also affected by the patient's gender, age and lifestyle. Now you know what biochemistry studies and how to correctly interpret its results.
How to properly prepare for blood donation for biochemistry?
As a rule, blood biochemistry is recommended to take if doctors suspectAvailability:
- acute diseases of internal organs;
- intoxication;
- beriberi;
- inflammatory processes;
- for the prevention of diseases during pregnancy;
- to clarify the diagnosis.
Blood for analysis is taken early in the morning, and you can’t eat before coming to the doctor. Otherwise, the results of the analysis will be distorted. A biochemical study will show how correct your metabolism and s alts in the body are. In addition, refrain from drinking sweet tea, coffee, milk at least an hour or two before blood sampling.
Be sure to answer your question about what biochemistry is before taking the test. Knowing the process and its significance will help you to correctly assess the state of he alth and be competent in medical matters.
How is blood taken for biochemistry?
The procedure is short and almost painless. In a person in a sitting position (sometimes they offer to lie down on a couch), the doctor takes blood from a vein, after applying a tourniquet. The injection site must be treated with an antiseptic. The sample taken is placed in a sterile tube and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Quality control of a biochemical study is carried out in several stages:
- preanalytical (patient preparation, analysis, transportation to the laboratory);
- analytical (biomaterial processing and storage, dosing, reaction, result analysis);
- post-analytical (filling inform with the result, laboratory and clinical analysis, sending to the doctor).
The quality of the result of biochemistry depends on the feasibility of the chosen research method, the competence of laboratory assistants, the accuracy of measurements, technical equipment, the purity of reagents, adherence to the diet.
Biochemistry for hair
What is hair biochemistry? Biowave is a way of long-term curling of curls. The difference between conventional perm and biowave is fundamental. In the latter case, do not use hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, thioglycolic acid. The role of the active substance is played by an analogue of cystine (biological protein). This is where the name of the hair styling method comes from.
Undoubted advantages include:
- sparing action on the hair structure;
- blurred line between regrown and biowaved hair;
- the procedure can be repeated without waiting for the final disappearance of its effect.
But before going to the master, the following nuances should be considered:
- biowave technology is relatively complex, and you need to be scrupulous in choosing a master;
- the effect is short-term, about 1-4 months (especially on hair that has not been permed, dyed, has a dense structure);
- biowave is not cheap (on average 1500-3500 rubles).
Methods of biochemistry
What is biochemistry and what methods are used for research? Their choice depends on his goal and the tasks set by the doctor. They are designed to study the biochemical structurecells, examine the sample for possible deviations from the norm and thus help diagnose the disease, find out the dynamics of recovery, etc.
- Chromatography (the method consists in the distribution of substances between two phases: mobile and stationary).
- Centrifugation (the biomaterial is placed in a special centrifuge to separate plasma from red blood cells).
- Electrophoresis (the method allows using current to divide blood serum proteins).
- Determination of total protein in blood serum by biuret reaction (proteins are subjected to a reaction with a complex compound, which stains the test substances in purple).
- Enzymatic (urease) methods for the determination of urea (the enzyme urease is used as a reagent). The essence of the method is that under the influence of urease, urea is broken down to obtain ammonia, and then the laboratory assistant calculates its concentration.
- Inhibition assay (using enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) accelerates the reaction of the interaction of oxygen molecule ions with an unpaired electron, which allows you to study cell metabolism and the concentration of enzymes in the blood).
Biochemistry is one of the most effective tests for clarifying, diagnosing, monitoring treatment, determining a successful treatment regimen.
