title: Ultramicro determination of serum triglycerides by bioluminescent assay.
abstract: The ultramicro (1-microL samples) assay of serum or plasma triglycerides that we describe here is potentially applicable to 1-nL samples and to isolated cells. This technically simple method involves only three reactions: (a) enzymic hydrolysis with lipase and alpha-chymotrypsin; (b) conversion by glycerol kinase of the liberated glycerol and of adenosine triphosphate added in excess to glycerol-1-phosphate and to adenosine diphosphate; and (c) assay of the residual adenosine triphosphate by the luciferin-luciferase reaction. The assay was optimized with respect to glycerol kinase, buffer, pH, temperature, and adenosine triphosphate. Performance characteristics compare well with those of traditional triglyceride assays.
mesh_terms: D004355:Drug Stability; D049454:Firefly Luciferin; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008156:Luciferases; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008722:Methods; D008832:Microchemistry; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014280:Triglycerides; D049454:Firefly Luciferin; D008156:Luciferases