HPLC analysis of carbohydrate deficient transferrin isoforms isolated by the Axis-Shield %CDT method.
BACKGROUND
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is elevated during prolonged overconsumption of alcohol and CDT is considered to be the most specific biochemical marker for alcohol overconsumption. However, an accurate method for analysing CDT is necessary because the test is frequently used for example in legal matters.


METHODS
Patient serum samples were analysed with the Axis-Shield %CDT and eluates were pooled together. Transferrin was purified from the pool by affinity chromatography and further analysed with HPLC to determine the ratios of different transferrin isoforms.


RESULTS
In the eluates using the Axis-Shield %CDT method, a substantial amount of trisialo transferrin was found, which is generally not considered a CDT isoform.


CONCLUSIONS
The fact that trisialo transferrin is present may generate falsely elevated CDT results and it could at least partly explain the discrepancy between results of the Axis-Shield %CDT assay and HPLC in routine analysis.
Aldén
Anna
A
Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, University of Kalmar, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
Ohlson
Sten
S
Påhlsson
Peter
P
Rydén
Ingvar
I
D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification
D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin