Albumin

A family of proteins. Blood serum albumin is created by the liver and is the most predominant protein in human blood.

Albumin has many functions, such as the binding and transport of various substances like hormones and drugs and the neutralization of free radicals.

Albumin is osmotically active and draws water into blood vessels. When album leaks out of blood vessels into surround tissue (such as when inflammation of blood vessels exposes gaps between vessel cells) water follows, leading to edema.