Among nanoparticulate carriers, HSA nanoparticles have long been the center of attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to bind to various drug molecules, great stability during storage and in vivo usage, no toxicity and antigenicity, biodegradability, reproducibility, scale up of the production process and a better control over release properties. In addition, significant amounts of drug can be incorporated into the particle matrix because of the large number of drug binding sites on the albumin molecule. Function
Maintains oncotic pressure
Transports thyroid hormones
Transports other hormones, in particular, ones that are fat-soluble
Transports fatty acids ("free" fatty acids) to the liver and to myocytes for utilization of energy
Transports unconjugated bilirubin
Transports many drugs; serum albumin levels can affect the half-life of drugs. Competition between drugs for albumin binding sites may cause drug interaction by increasing the free fraction of one of the drugs, thereby affecting potency. Competitively binds calcium ions (Ca2+)
Serum albumin, as a negative acute-phase protein, is down-regulated in inflammatory states. As such, it is not a valid marker of nutritional status; rather, it is a marker of an inflammatory state
Prevents photodegradation of folic acid
Prevent pathogenic effects of Clostridioides difficile toxins

Measurement
Serum albumin is commonly measured by recording the change in absorbance upon binding to a dye such as bromocresol green or bromocresol purple. Reference ranges
The normal range of human serum albumin in adults (> 3 y.o.) is 3.5–5.0  g/dL (35–50 g/L).
Alitretinoin, or 9-cis-retinoic acid, is a form of vitamin A. It is also used in medicine as an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) agent developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. It is a first generation retinoid. Ligand gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for alitretinoin in February 1999. Medical uses
Kaposi’s sarcoma
In the United States, topical alitretinoin is indicated for the treatment of skin lesions in AIDS-related Kaposis sarcoma. Alitretinoin is not indicated when systemic therapy against Kaposis sarcoma is required. It has received EMA (11 October 2000) and FDA (2 March 1999) approval for this indication. Chronic hand eczema
Alitretinoin has been granted prescription rights in the UK (08/09/2008) for in chronic hand eczema as used by mouth. In May 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued preliminary guidance on the use of alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema in adults. The recommendation stated that only patients with severe chronic hand eczema who are unresponsive to potent topical corticosteroids, oral immunosuppressants or phototherapy should receive the drug. Final NICE guidance is expected in August 2009. Adverse effects
Systemic use
Very common (>10% frequency):

Headache
Hypertriglyceridemia
High density lipoprotein decreased
HypercholesterolemiaCommon (1-10% frequency):

Uncommon (0.1-1% frequency):

Rare (<0.1% frequency):

Benign intracranial hypertension
VasculitisUnknown frequency:

Topical use
Very common (>10% frequency):

Rash (77%)
Pain (34%)
Itchiness (11%)Common (1-10% frequency):

Exfoliative dermatitis
Oedema
Skin changes
Paraesthesia

Contraindications
Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication as with most other vitamin A products, it should also be avoided when it comes to systemic use in any women that is of childbearing potential and not taking precautions to prevent pregnancy. Toctino (the oral capsule formulation of alitretinoin) contains soya oil and sorbitol.