Estimation of Folate Binding Capacity (Unsaturated and Total) in Normal Human Serum and in beta -Thalassaemia

摘要

A method is described for measuring the Total serum folate binding capacity (TBC) after treating the serum with urea at pH 5.5. Unsaturated serum folate binding capacity (UBC) being determined without treatment with urea. The method was applied to 50 normal controls and 20 patients with homozygous beta -thalassaemia. The results show an increase in folate binding capacity after treating the serum with urea in all cases studied. There is not any correlation between serum folic acid level and Total or Unsaturated folate binding capacity or per cent Saturation. The method described is a simple and rapid method for screening the different groups studied for Saturated and Unsaturated specific folate binding proteins. (Atomindex citation 09:389308)