Orosomucoid or alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP or AAG) is an acute phase (acute phase protein

Acute phase protein

Acute-phase proteins are a class of proteins whose plasma concentrations increase or decrease in response to inflammation...

) plasma

Plasma

Plasma may refer to:* Blood plasma, the yellow-colored liquid component of blood, in which blood cells are suspended* Plasma , an ionized state of matter similar to a gas...

 alpha-globulin glycoprotein

Glycoprotein

Glycoproteins are proteins that contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycosylation. In proteins that have segments extending...

 and is modulated by two polymorphic genes. It is synthesized primarily in hepatocyte

Hepatocyte

A hepatocyte is a cell of the main tissue of the liver. Hepatocytes make up 70-80% of the liver's cytoplasmic mass.These cells are involved in:* Protein synthesis* Protein storage* Transformation of carbohydrates...

s and has a normal plasma concentration between 0.6-1.2 mg/mL (1-3% plasma protein). Plasma levels are affected by pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...

, certain drugs, and certain diseases, particularly HIV

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...

.

The only established function of ORM is to act as a carrier of basic and neutrally charged lipophilic compounds. In medicine, it is known as the primary carrier of basic

Base (chemistry)

For the term in genetics, see base A base in chemistry is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions or more generally, donate electron pairs. A soluble base is referred to as an alkali if it contains and releases hydroxide ions quantitatively...

 drugs (whereas albumin

Albumin

Albumin refers generally to any protein that is water soluble, which is moderately soluble in concentrated salt solutions, and experiences heat denaturation. They are commonly found in blood plasma, and are unique to other blood proteins in that they are not glycosylated...

 carries acidic drugs), steroid

Steroid

A steroid is a type of organic compound that contains a characteristic arrangement of four cycloalkane rings that are joined to each other. Examples of steroids include the dietary fat cholesterol, the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.The core...

s, and protease inhibitor

Protease inhibitor

Protease inhibitor can refer to:* Protease inhibitor : a class of medication that inhibits viral protease* Protease inhibitor : molecules that inhibit proteases...

s.

Orosomucoid increases in amount in obstructive jaundices while diminishes in hepatocellular jaundice and in intestinal infection

Infection

An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...

s.