SIMPLE METHOD FOR SEPARATE MEASUREMENT OF TRANSCOBALAMIN-1, TRANSCOBALAMIN-2, AND TRANSCOBALAMIN-3 - NORMAL RANGES IN SERUM AND PLASMA IN MEN AND WOMEN
A simple method for the separate measurement of the unsaturated binding capacity of the 3 main circulating vitamin B12 binders, transcobalamins (TC) I, II and III, is described. The method involves batch separation of TC I and III from TC II by means of Quso G32, followed by batch separation of TC I from TC III with the use of diethylaminoethyl. The present study provides the first complete comparison of unsaturated TC I, II, and III in serum vs. fluoridated plasma of a single group of normal men vs. women. There are consistently higher values in serum, largely due to an in vitro increment of TC III, prevented by NaF. The results are compared with values for some of these parameters obtained by others with the use of different methods, providing a standard for evaluating significance of results by various methods.