Albumin and prealbumin are what type of acute phase proteins?

• A. Positive
• B. Negative
• C. Neutral
• D. Mixed

Answer: (B)

When inflammation or injury occurs, the liver shifts its production toward positive acute-phase proteins that help fight the inflammatory process, while other proteins decrease. Albumin and prealbumin fall in this response, so they are classified as negative acute-phase proteins. This means their levels drop during inflammation regardless of dietary intake, which is why they’re not reliable stand-alone markers of nutrition in sick patients. Albumin has a longer half-life and reflects longer-term status, while prealbumin responds more quickly to changes because of its shorter half-life. Positive acute-phase proteins (like CRP) rise in inflammation, which contrasts with the decline seen in albumin and prealbumin.