Being one of the main proteins in the human body and many
animal species, albumin plays a crucial role in the transport of
various ions, electrically neutral molecules and in maintaining
the colloidal osmotic pressure of the blood. Albumin is able to
bind almost all known drugs, many nutraceuticals and toxic substances,
determining their pharmaco- and toxicokinetics. However, albumin
is not only the passive but also the active participant of the pharmacokinetic
and toxicokinetic processes possessing a number of enzymatic activities.
Due to the thiol group of Cys34, albumin can serve as a trap for
reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thus participating in redox
processes. The interaction of the protein with blood cells, blood
vessels, and also with tissue cells outside the vascular bed is
of great importance. The interaction of albumin with endothelial glycocalyx
and vascular endothelial cells largely determines its integrative
role. This review provides information of a historical nature, information
on evolutionary changes, inflammatory and antioxidant properties
of albumin, on its structural and functional modifications and their significance
in the pathogenesis of some diseases.