Capillary electrophoresis for the determination of albumin binding capacity and free bilirubin in jaundiced neonates

Semin Perinatol. 2001 Apr;25(2):50-4. doi: 10.1053/sper.2001.23202.

Abstract

This study develops a capillary electrophoresis/frontal analysis (CE/FA) method to separate free bilirubin from its albumin bound complex, with only small-sized samples. Under our optimized conditions, CE/FA is proven to be a simple and accurate method in assaying the concentration of free bilirubin in the jaundiced serum. Upon saturation of albumin-binding, the amount of bilirubin added to the serum bears a linear relationship with the absorbance at OD44OnM (R = .9987, P < .00001). Application of this method to study jaundiced neonates has yielded precise data on the residual binding capacity, which may be of significant therapeutic implications. The CE/FA method we have developed appears to be promising and applicable for clinical use as it is highly reproducible and it only requires a small sample size for tests. Our method should be an invaluable adjunct to the neonatal management of hyperbilirubinaemia.

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / pharmacology
  • Bilirubin / blood*
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary*
  • Fetal Blood / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Jaundice, Neonatal / blood*
  • Protein Binding
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Serum Albumin
  • Aspirin
  • Bilirubin