Negative acute-phase reactants do what?

Negative acute-phase reactants do what?

• A. Increase by 25%
• B. Decrease by 25%
• C. No change
• D. Fluctuate

Answer: (B)

Negative acute-phase reactants decrease during an inflammatory response. When inflammation occurs, the liver shifts its protein production toward positive acute-phase reactants (like C-reactive protein and fibrinogen) that help fight infection, while reducing the synthesis of negative acute-phase proteins such as albumin, transferrin, transthyretin, and retinol-binding protein. This downregulation helps conserve amino acids and prioritize proteins useful for the acute response. In many physiology references, a representative drop of about 25% is used to illustrate the concept, though the exact amount can vary between individuals and conditions. So, these proteins fall in circulation during inflammation, rather than rising or staying the same.

Negative acute-phase reactants decrease during an inflammatory response. When inflammation occurs, the liver shifts its protein production toward positive acute-phase reactants (like C-reactive protein and fibrinogen) that help fight infection, while reducing the synthesis of negative acute-phase proteins such as albumin, transferrin, transthyretin, and retinol-binding protein. This downregulation helps conserve amino acids and prioritize proteins useful for the acute response. In many physiology references, a representative drop of about 25% is used to illustrate the concept, though the exact amount can vary between individuals and conditions. So, these proteins fall in circulation during inflammation, rather than rising or staying the same.