α1‑Acid glycoprotein is synthesized in hepatocytes. α1‑Acid glycoprotein promotes fibroblast growth and interacts with collagen.
It is a sensitive acute phase reactant whose concentration can increase by a factor of 3 within 24‑48 hours when inflammation occurs. α1‑Acid glycoprotein can also be used to differentiate between acute phase reactions (elevated serum level) and estrogen effects (normal or decreased serum level) whereas the serum level of other positive reactants such as ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin increases during such reactions. Along with haptoglobin it is perhaps the best enzyme for identifying slight in vivo hemolysis. An increased α1‑acid glycoprotein level and normal haptoglobin values indicate an acute phase reaction with concomitant slight in vivo hemolysis. Moderate and isolated increases occur when glomerular filtration is inhibited in the early stages of uremia. The determination is used in the assessment of the activity of acute and recurring inflammations as well as of tumors with cell necrosis.