Acoustic (ultrasound) determination of concentration of whole protein and protein fractions in blood serum

A new method is suggested for determining the concentration of whole protein and the distribution of protein fractions in blood serum by means of an ultrasound device. The acoustic method is based on measuring the proliferation rate and absorption of the ultrasound signal in the examined serum. The findings of the method were compared with those obtained by routine tools in examining both blood sera of patients and controls. A high correlation factor was registered for the biuret method in the determination of the concentration of whole protein (R = 0.95; p < 0.05). It was demonstrated as possible to use the discussed method as a screening tool in evaluating the distribution of protein fractions. The examination findings are generated by the instrument as in the electrophoretic examination. The method is simple in use. No reagents are needed.     

Non-contact spectroscopic determination of large blood volume fractions in turbid media

We report on a non-contact method to quantitatively determine blood volume fractions in turbid media by reflectance spectroscopy in the VIS/NIR spectral wavelength range. This method will be used for spectral analysis of tissue with large absorption coefficients and assist in age determination of bruises and bloodstains. First, a phantom set was constructed to determine the effective photon path length as a function of μ(a) and μ(s)' on phantoms with an albedo range: 0.02-0.99. Based on these measurements, an empirical model of the path length was established for phantoms with an albedo > 0.1. Next, this model was validated on whole blood mimicking phantoms, to determine the blood volume fractions ρ = 0.12-0.84 within the phantoms (r = 0.993; error < 10%). Finally, the model was proved applicable on cotton fabric phantoms.     

A new colorimetric method for the determination of glutathione in erythrocytes

A simple and accurate method for the determination of erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) is described. This method is based on the observation that when added to a pre-formed palladium-thiorpromazine complex which has an absorption maximum at 565 nm, GSH competitively displaces chlorpromazine from the complex, resulting in a decrease in absorbance which is in direct proportion to the quantity of GSH added.The procedure has been successfully used in the erythrocyte GSH stability test for screening glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. With minor modifications in the analytical procedure, oxidised glutathione (GSSG) can also be assayed.