A Highly Sensitive Sandwich Enzyme Immunoassay for Insulin in Human Serum Developed Using Capybara Anti-Insulin Fab' -Horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate

Abstract

A highly sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for insulin in human serum has been developed using capybara anti-insulin serum. Capybara anti-insulin IgG-coated polystyrene balls were incubated with serum samples in the presence of 0.4 M NaCl and then with capybara anti-insulin Fab'-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. The peroxidase activity bound to the polystyrene balls was correlated to the amount of insulin to be assayed. Serum interference was eliminated by the presence of 0.4 M NaC1, and there was no need to add insulin-free serum to a standard curve. The sensitivity was 4 nU/tube or 0.2 μU/ml of serum when 20 μ1 of serum samples was used. The recovery of insulin added to human serum was 92–97 %. The coefficients of within-assay and between-assay variations were 5.1–7.2 % and 7.6–9.2 %, respectively. The regression equation and correlation coefficient to radioimmunoassay were Y(EIA)=0.91×(RIA)-2.4 and 0.97 (n=76), respectively.