Inhibitor binding assay for angiotensin-converting enzyme

We describe a new principle for the determination of enzymes, here applied to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, EC 3.4.15.1) in human serum. The enzyme inhibitor binding assay is based on specific binding of labeled inhibitor to the active center of the enzyme. Serum (10-15 microL) is incubated with 125I-labeled ACE inhibitor (" 351A ," a p- hydroxybenzamidine derivative of N-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysyl-L-proline) at pH 7.0 at 37 degrees C for 2 h in a non-equilibrated system. Inhibitor bound to ACE is separated by adsorption to coated charcoal, the radioactivity remaining in the supernate is counted, and the ACE value is calculated from a standard curve. Sensitivity for ACE in serum is 200 U/L, corresponding to 5.0 ng of ACE purified from human lung. The coefficient of variation was 3.9% within assay, and 6.4% between assays for normal ACE activities. Correlation with a comparison spectrophotometric method (Am J Med 59: 363-372, 1975) for ACE assay was excellent (r = 0.98) in 59 samples from healthy subjects and from patients with various diseases including active sarcoidosis. The novel assay principle presented here is simple and specific, and can be extended to use with various biological fluids and tissues, and to other enzymes as well.     

血管紧张肽（素）转化酶动力学测定方法的探讨及其初步临床应用

目的建立血管紧张肽（素）转化酶（ACE）自动化分析方法。方法 ACE能催化底物呋喃酰基-L-苯丙氨酰甘氨酰甘氨酸（FAPGG）,产生呋喃酰基苯丙氨酸（FAP）及双甘氨肽（GG）。在pH值8.2的硼酸缓冲液下,在340 nm处测定产物吸光度值的下降速度可计算出ACE活性。采用本法测定50名正常对照者、30例慢性阻塞性肺部疾病加重期（AECOPD）患者、18例肺癌患者血清ACE的活性。结果本法缓冲液最适pH值为8.2,最适基质浓度为1.0 mmol/L,批内、批间平均变异系数（CV）分别为4.07%、5.50%,米氏常数（Km）为0.09 mmol/L。正常对照组ACE活性为（31.1±18.0）U/L;AECOPD患者ACE活性为（22.4±12.6）U/L,低于正常组（P〈0.000 1）;肺癌患者ACE活性为（28.7±11.4）U/L,稍低于正常对照组,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论该法简便、快捷、精确,可用于自动化分析,适宜临床常规应用。ACE可作为评价肺部疾病的一项指标。     

Reproducibility of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in human subjects determined by fluorimetry with Z-phenylalanine-histidyl-leucine as substrate

Despite the major physiologic role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), few studies have evaluated the ideal conditions for measuring human plasma ACE activity, specifically when using Z-phenylalanine-histidyl-leucine as substrate. This study, performed in volunteer patients, assessed the reproducibility of human plasma ACE activity measured by fluorimetry with Z-phenyl-histidyl-leucine as the substrate. After blood centrifugation, plasma was stored under different conditions until processing. The following sources of variability were evaluated: (1) the interval to centrifugation of blood after collection, (2) the temperature and (3) safe time for storing the plasma after cold centrifugation, (4) the effect of fasting. Plasma ACE activity was 20.6+/-7.7 U/mL, 20.9+/-8 U/mL, and 20.5+/-7.9 U/mL (n = 25) when samples were centrifuged immediately, after 1 hour of blood sampling, and after 3 hours of blood sampling, respectively (not significant). In plasma kept at -20 degrees C, ACE activity was not different after 1 week (17.4+/-4.3 U/mL) nor after 1 month (17.9+/-4 U/mL), whereas baseline ACE was 16.7+/-4.3 U/mL (n = 10). In plasma stored at -80 degrees C, ACE activity was 15.5+/-5.7 U/mL after 1 month (baseline 15+/-5.3 U/mL; not significant; n = 12). No evidence for hydrolysis of the reaction product of ACE (his-leu dipeptide) was observed in plasma samples kept for 1 month at -20 degrees C or at -80 degrees C (by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis). In plasma obtained before breakfast, ACE activity was 12.8+/-7.1 U/mL, and it was 12.3+/-7.5 U/mL 2 hours afterwards (not significant; n = 12). Thus, to determine human plasma ACE activity by fluorimetry with reliability, with Z-phenylalanine-histidyl-leucine used as a substrate, there is a safe interval of at least 3 hours before blood centrifugation at -4 degrees C. Plasma may be kept at -20 degrees C or at -80 degrees C for at least 4 weeks before final processing. Fasting does not influence its enzymatic activity.     

Fluorometric determination of indocyanine green in plasma

With this fluorometric method for measuring indocyanine green (ICG) in biological fluids, the limit of detection is an order of magnitude lower than for the traditional spectrophotometric procedure. The excitation and emission maxima are 780 and 810 nm, respectively. Agreement was excellent (r = 0.998) between direct results by this method and those by a liquid-chromatographic procedure with spectrophotometric detection. ICG breaks down in aqueous solution; the degradation products can be detected with liquid-chromatographic/spectrophotometric methods, but because the metabolites are not fluorescent, they do not interfere in the method present here. The increased specificity and sensitivity of this method should permit much more complete analysis of the kinetics of ICG disposition.     

Kinetic determination of serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity with a centrifugal analyzer

We describe a mechanized method for centrifugal analyzer determination of sorbitol dehydrogenase in serum, based on conversion of D-fructose to sorbitol with simultaneous oxidation of NADH, in triethanolamine buffer at pH 7.4 and 30 degrees C. The standard curve for this assay is linear to 200 U of activity per liter of serum. The mean within-run precision (CV) of the assay is 0.8%. Results correlate well with those by a spectrophotometric method. In sera from 20 apparently healthy adult humans, sorbitol dehydrogenase activity averaged 1.7 (SD +/- 0.8; range, 1-3) U/L. The mean activity (U/L) for a group of 30 rats was 4.4 (SD, +/- 0.2; range, 3-6); for 20 dogs, 5.8 (SD, +/- 0.7; range 3-9); and for 30 mice, 26.8 (SD +/- 2.1; range, 22-34). To determine the utility of measuring this enzyme in the serum of rats for assessment of hepatotoxicity in drug-safety studies, we compared sorbitol dehydrogenase activity with that of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotranferase in the sera of rats treated with thioacetamide or in which the common bile duct has been ligated.     

Improved determination of estriol-16 alpha-glucuronide in pregnancy urine by direct liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

In this relatively simple, rapid assay of estriol-16 alpha-glucuronide in pregnancy urine, the urine sample is diluted 20-fold with phosphate buffer (pH 5.2) containing 360 mL of acetonitrile and 2 g of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide per liter, then directly injected into the chromatograph. A sample can be assayed within 14 min. Day-to-day CVs ranged from 2.3% at 45 mg/L to 2.9% at 4.8 mg/L. The limit of sensitivity is 0.4 mg/L. Results by the present method (y) correlated and compared very well with those by a method involving fractionation of estrogen conjugates and gas chromatography (x) for 24 samples of pregnancy urine (y = 1.09x + 0.303; r = 0.947). This assay is inexpensive and suitable for complete automation.     

Biomarkers in Serbian patients with Gaucher disease

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the biomarkers chitotriosidase (Chito), total acid phosphatase (TACP), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ferritin in the diagnosis of Gaucher disease (GD) and to assess the utility of biomarkers for monitoring the effects of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT).

Design and methods

Forty treatment-naive Gaucher patients were studied. 27/40 GP were put on ERT and monitored every 6 months.

Results

The baseline median values of Chito, TACP, ACE and ferritin were highly elevated in GP: 10216 nmol/mL/h, 26.1 U/L, 253 U/L, 515 μg/L, and 555 μg/L, respectively. The only significant difference between mild and moderate GP subgroups is observed for Chito activity (p = 0.0116). During ERT, Chito showed the steepest decrease in regard to TACP and ACE, mainly within the first year (71.4%).

Conclusions

Among these biomarkers, Chito proved to be the most useful biomarker for diagnosing GD and monitoring the ERT.     

实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应技术检测解脲脲原体生物群的研究

目的建立解脲脲原体生物群Taqman荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测方法。方法根据解脲脲原体生物群MBA基因差异,分别设计并合成引物和探针。优化引物和探针浓度及试验条件,并进行试验的灵敏度、特异性和重复性评价。结果生物1群最适缓冲体系:25μL反应体系中包含2.5U Taq酶,Mg2+2.5mmol/L,上、下游引物0.1pmol/L,TaqMan探针0.2pmol/L,模板DNA 2μL。生物2群最适缓冲体系:25μL反应体系中包含2.5UTaq酶,Mg2+2.5mmol/L,上、下游引物0.2pmol/L,TaqMan探针0.3pmol/L,模板DNA2μL。PCR反应条件:95℃2min;95℃10s;55℃(检测荧光信号)20s,循环40次。该方法线性范围在1.0×102～8 copy/mL之间,检测限达到100～200copy/mL,特异性达到100%,CV值为2.5%。结论 本研究建立的TaqMan荧光PCR检测解脲脲原体生物群线性范围宽、灵敏度高、特异性及重复性好,能够快速进行解脲脲原体生物群检测。     

Increased plasma substance P and CGRP levels, and high ACE activity in migraineurs during headache-free periods

Substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) may have roles in trigeminovascular nociceptive mechanisms. We investigated interictal levels of SP, CGRP, ACE activity, and their correlation, in a sample of migraineurs. Forty-one patients suffering from migraine with aura (MA), 54 without aura (MO), and 52 non-headache subjects (controls) participated in this study. Blood samples were collected from cubital veins. Plasma levels of SP and CGRP were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Plasma ACE activities were measured spectrophotometrically. SP levels in MA (6.6+/-3.7 pg/ml; mean+/-SD) and MO (6.6+/-3.2 pg/ml) were significantly higher than in controls (4.8+/-2.4 pg/ml) (P<0.01). CGRP levels in MA (18.8+/-8.8 pg/ml) and MO (19.1+/-9.4 pg/ml) were also significantly higher than in controls (13.4+/-4.4 pg/ml) (P<0.01). ACE activities in MA (34.6+/-19.0 U/l) were significantly higher than in MO (25.3+/-13.2 U/l) and controls (27.0+/-20.4 U/l) (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between SP and CGRP levels (P<0.05). In MA, SP and CGRP showed a tendency toward positive correlation, which was not significant. There was a weak, but significant positive correlation between SP levels and ACE activities (P<0.01). However, a relationship between ACE activities and CGRP levels was not observed. The data suggest that SP, CGRP, and ACE are relevant to migraine pathophysiology, and that they may interact.     

Colorimetrical rate assay for urinary dipeptidyl peptidase iv (dppiv) activity using a new substrate

We synthesized a new substrate glycyl-L-proline 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyanilide (Gly-Pro-DBAP), for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). Its hydrolysis by DPPIV resulted in the formation of a chromophore, 2,6-dibromo-phenol-indo-p-xylenol, and its maximal absorption wavelength (600 nm) was longer than that of p-nitroaniline (415 nm) released from conventional substrate, glycyl-L-proline pnitroanilide (Gly-Pro-pNA). We also established the rate assay for urinary DPPIV activity using Gly-Pro-DBAP. The optimum pH was between 8.5 and 9.0. The apparent Km was 1.1 mmol/1. The detectable range was 2.5–350 U/I. No changes in blank values occured throughout the enzyme reaction in the optimum pH. Its value was also much lower than Gly-Pro-pNA. CVs for within-run and between-run were 1.1% (n=10) and 3.0% (n=10), respectively. Among tested peptidases, only DPPIV could hydrolyze Gly-Pro-DBAP. Among the protease inhibitors, only two, diprotin-A and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSA), could inhibit DPPIV activity. The present method did not interfere with urinary ingredients such as hemoglobin. The correlation between the present (y) and conventional (x) methods is presented by the equation y=1.121×+0.096 (r=0.993). Thus the present method provides practical advantages over the conventional method for routine laboratory use.©1995 wiley-Liss, inc.     

Polarographic method for rapid microdetermination of cholesterol with cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase.

Cholesterol concentrations in serum are enzymatically determined rapidly by use of a polarographic oxygen analyzer with a circuit modified to record simultaneously the amount and rate of oxygen consumption. The final assay system, assessed from the oxygen consumption value that we found to be optimum, consists of 1 ml of sodium phosphate buffer (0.6 mol/liter, pH 7.0) containing NaN3 (10 mg/liter), Triton X-100 surfactant (10 ml/liter), 0.4 U of cholesterol ester hydrolase, and 0.6 U of cholesterol oxidase. Oxygen consumption and cholesterol concentration are linearly related to 8.0 g/liter, and only 10 mul of serum is required. Replicate analyses of pooled serum by the present method demonstrated the following inter-run precision: mean = 1731 mg/liter, SD = 22.3 mg/liter, CV = 1.3%. Bilirubin and ascorbic acid were without effect on the present method, unlike the enzymatic colorimetric methods.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme determination in plasma during therapy with converting enzyme inhibitor: two methods compared.

For normal and above-normal concentrations of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE; EC 3.4.15.1) activity in plasma, results of a manual fluorometric method [with hippuryl-histidyl-leucine (HHL), 5 mmol/L, as substrate] correlated well with those of an automated spectrophotometric method [with 3-(2-furylacryloyl)-L-phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine (FAPGG), 2 mmol/L, as substrate]. However, for patients receiving converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) therapy, the spectrophotometric method showed much greater suppression of plasma ACE activity than did the fluorometric method. To determine which of the two methods provided a more reliable indication of ACE inhibition in vivo, we measured plasma ACE, angiotensin I (ANG I), and angiotensin II (ANG II) in patients receiving the CEI perindopril. During perindopril therapy, changes in the ratio of ANG II:ANG I, an index of ACE activity in vivo, showed a close agreement with changes in plasma ACE activity measured with FAPGG as substrate, but not with HHL as substrate. We conclude that measurement of ACE activity in vitro with FAPGG as substrate provides a reliable measure of changes in conversion of ANG I to ANG II in vivo during CEI therapy.     

Bioluminescence assay of creatine kinase and its isoenzymes in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

We examined the sensitivity of bioluminescence for the determination of very low concentrations of creatine kinase brain-type subunit (CK-BB) in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid. To optimize the sensitivity of CK-isoenzyme assays and eliminate possible sources of error, we separated the isoenzyme fractions by using inhibiting anti-MM and precipitating anti-MM and anti-BB antibodies. The results with the bioluminescence assay correlated with spectrophotometric values such that r = 0.97 for the total CK activity and r = 0.98 for the CK-B activity. The reproducibility of the present method was comparable with the spectrophotometric method and was even better at low enzyme activities. The within-series precision for assay of total CK activity at 2 U/L corresponded to a CV of 9%; at 13 U/L the CV was 5.8%. All the assays were carried out at 25 degrees C. Even at this low temperature, CK activities as low as 0.2 U/L could be determined. In eight patients without any evidence of cerebral cell damage, total CK activity in cerebrospinal fluid was x = 1.05 +/- 0.6 U/L, and CK-BB activity was x = 0.7 +/- 0.4 U/L. In sera of these patients CK-BB activity was x = 0.6 +/- 0.5 U/L. Differences in CK and CK-BB activities in four patients with transient or progressive brain-cell damage are discussed.     

Automated method for the determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum

A method for the determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum (S-ACE; EC 3.4.15.1.) with use of 3-(2-furylacryloyl)-L-phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine (FAPGG) as substrate has been adapted for the Cobas Bio microcentri-fugal analyser. The method allows 24 determinations per hour in a sample volume of 28 μl with a within run precision of less than 3% and a between run precision of less than 5%. The reaction is linear up to at least 470 U/l. The reference interval in 92 blood donors has been determined to 14–110 U/l. The method correlates well with the manual method of Hurst & Lovell-Smith [4] (r=0.982). We have found the method excellently suited for routine assay.     

Simple ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the determination of serum guanase activity

We describe a simple, kinetic method for the determination of serum guanase activity that involves enzymatic coupling to xanthine oxidase and measurement of the rate of uric acid formation by spectrophotometric monitoring of the absorption at 300 nm. At this wavelength, the absorption of uric acid is about 80% of its maximal absorption at 293 nm, but the difference in molar extinction coefficient between guanine and uric acid is similar (9,000 at 293 nm vs 8,400 at 300 nm). There are three advantages to the use of the higher wavelength: first, the absorption of serum proteins is only one third of the absorption at 293 nm resulting in a significant reduction in noise level. Second, the lower absorption of serum proteins allows increasing sensitivity of the assay by increasing the amount of serum in the reaction mixture. Third, the higher wavelength allows the use of automated centrifugal analyzers that are generally not designed for measurements below 300 nm. The between-day coefficient of variation was 5.8% (n = 27) at an activity of 17 U/L and 8.2% at an activity of 2 U/L. The reference range for 50 sera from males and females was 0.4 to 1.8 U/L (n = 50; mean +/- 2SD). The method is linear to 40 U/L.     

血管紧张肽(素)转化酶动力学测定方法的探讨及其初步临床应用

目的建立血管紧张肽(素)转化酶(ACE)自动化分析方法。方法 ACE能催化底物呋喃酰基-L-苯丙氨酰甘氨酰甘氨酸(FAPGG),产生呋喃酰基苯丙氨酸(FAP)及双甘氨肽(GG)。在pH值8.2的硼酸缓冲液下,在340 nm处测定产物吸光度值的下降速度可计算出ACE活性。采用本法测定50名正常对照者、30例慢性阻塞性肺部疾病加重期(AECOPD)患者、18例肺癌患者血清ACE的活性。结果本法缓冲液最适pH值为8.2,最适基质浓度为1.0 mmol/L,批内、批间平均变异系数(CV)分别为4.07%、5.50%,米氏常数(Km)为0.09 mmol/L。正常对照组ACE活性为(31.1±18.0)U/L;AECOPD患者ACE活性为(22.4±12.6)U/L,低于正常组(P<0.000 1);肺癌患者ACE活性为(28.7±11.4)U/L,稍低于正常对照组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论该法简便、快捷、精确,可用于自动化分析,适宜临床常规应用。ACE可作为评价肺部疾病的一项指标。     

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase in erythrocytes: determination of optimum reaction conditions

Reaction conditions for determining the activity of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP; E.C. 2.4.2.1) were investigated. We examined the kinetic parameters for the enzymatic reaction with respect to the substrates inosine and phosphate. We confirmed the pH optimum, established the optimal concentration of xanthine oxidase and that of calcium and magnesium. The Km values for inosine and phosphate were found to be 60 uM and 667 uM, respectively. Optimum assay conditions for PNP activity were established. This optimized method has been compared with other procedures and found to be more sensitive and to yield significantly higher activities. The experimental variation of a manual procedure using these optimum reaction conditions was less than 4.5%. The mean erythrocyte PNP activity of 28 healthy subjects was estimated to be 9.71 U/mL packed cells at 25 degrees C and 18.60 U/mL packed cells at 37 degrees C.     

Optimisation of an enzymatic method for beta-galactosidase

BACKGROUND: The enzyme beta-galactosidase present in the Kupffer cells of the liver has potential as a marker of liver dysfunction prior to transplantation. Spectrophotometric methods have insufficient sensitivity. METHODS: Fluorimetric methods have the required sensitivity and we have optimised such a method in a microtitre plate format to improve its utility. beta-galactosidase acts on the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-galactoside (MUG) to produce 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), detected fluorimetrically with excitation wavelength 355 nm and emission wavelength 460 nm. RESULTS: Reaction conditions in a citrate-phosphate buffer were optimised to give maximal enzyme activity: pH was optimal at 4.4 (range investigated 3.6-5.0) and substrate concentration at 3.33 mmol/l. A small specimen volume (10 microl) in 80 microl of substrate solution produced adequate fluorescent yield after an incubation period of 30 to 60 min at 37 degrees C. Reaction was terminated by addition of 200 microl of glycine-NaOH, pH 12.8. The assay is linear to 3,000 U/ml. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV%) at 50, 502, and 2,012 U/ml was 4.7, 3.1, and 3.4, respectively (n=10). Inter-assay CV% at 51, 496, and 1,986 U/ml was 7.0, 4.0, and 3.9, respectively (n=10). CONCLUSIONS: The assay has greater practical utility and demonstrated significant differences in the perfusate beta-galactosidase between cold-stored and warm-perfused livers in a porcine model of transplantation.     

Evaluation of the optimized bioluminescent assay for the determination of total creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB activities

A very sensitive, optimized bioluminescent assay for certain kinase and creatine kinase MB activities is tested. We evaluated reagent blanks, sensitivity, precision and compared the results with those of the spectrophotometric immunoinhibition test. The main advantage of the new method is a detection limit of less than 1 U/l which, together with a high precision (s = 0.1 at detection limit), allows determinations of the creatine kinase MB activity even in normal sera in about 20 minutes. A disadvantage of the manual procedure is that it may be necessary to include up to five pipetting steps.     

A sensitive bioluminescent immunoinhibition test for CK-B subunit activity and a CK-MB specific ELISA compared: correlation with agarose electrophoresis and influence of CK-isoenzyme profile on results

Searching for alternatives to the imprecise spectrophotometric tests for low-concentration creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), we investigated the analytical performance of two potentially superior approaches--a bioluminescent immunoinhibition assay (I, LKB-Wallac) and an ELISA (enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay) technique (II, Hybritech)--in comparison with an electrophoretic method (III, Beckman). Only I showed good between-day precision (CV 8.3%) at the upper reference limit, allowing reproducible assay of CK-B subunit activity down to at least 3 U/L. In conditions where CK isoenzyme assays remained unaffected by CK-MM concentrations, test results were proportional to the amount of CK-MB in the sample up to at least 50 U/L for I, 120 micrograms/L for II, and 100 U/L for III (r greater than 0.998 by linear regression analysis). For CK-MB-positive samples, the data by I correlated more closely with values by III (n = 24; r = 0.994) than did results by II (n = 15; r = 0.909), but both methods were equally effective in discriminating between samples with or without electrophoretically supranormal CK-MB activity (93% sensitivity). II was entirely CK-MB specific, whereas CK-B activity by I was consistently (18/18) increased in CK-MB-negative samples containing CK-BB (n = 6; r = 0.996) or macro CK, types 1 or 2 (n = 12; r = 0.930). I is highly sensitive for screening for increased non-MM CK activity, the nature of which should be subsequently clarified by electrophoresis.