Prealbumin (PA) is a negative acute phase response protein and non-specific host defense substance, mainly synthesized by the liver, with a half-life of about 2 days, which makes it more sensitive compared to albumin, which has a half-life of 20 days, and has been used in clinical practice mainly to assess hepatic impairment and malnutrition (27). This evidence concerns the gene TTR and malnutrition.