In serum

Two determinations of the concentration of K+ in serum, showing the effect of precision. The data in (a) are less scattered and, therefore, more precise than the data in (b). 

Martinez-Eabregas, E. Alegret, S. A Practical Approach to Ghemical Sensors through Potentiometric Transducers Determination of Urea in Serum by Means of a Biosensor, /. Chem. Educ. 1994, 71, A67-A70. 

Directions are provided for constructing and characterizing an ammonium ion-selective electrode. The electrode is then modified to respond to urea by adding a few milligrams of urease and covering with a section of dialysis membrane. Directions for determining urea in serum also are provided. 

Ion-selective electrodes can be incorporated in flow cells to monitor the concentration of an analyte in standards and samples that are pumped through the flow cell. As the analyte passes through the cell, a potential spike is recorded instead of a steady-state potential. The concentration of K+ in serum has been determined in this fashion, using standards prepared in a matrix of 0.014 M NaCl. ... 

Although each HPbC method has its own unique considerations, the following description of the determination of the fluoxetine in serum provides an instructive example of a typical procedure. 

Description of Method. Fluoxetine, whose structure is shown in Figure 12.31a, is another name for the antidepressant drug Prozac. The determination of fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine. Figure 12.31 b, in serum is an important part of monitoring its therapeutic use. The analysis is complicated by the complex matrix of serum samples. A solid-phase extraction followed by an HPLC analysis using a fluorescence detector provides the necessary selectivity and detection limits. 

The concentration of aluminum in serum can be determined by adding 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde p-methoxybenzoyl-hydrazone and measuring the initial rate of the resulting complexation reaction under pseudo-first-order conditions.The rate of reaction is monitored by the fluorescence of the metal-ligand complex. Initial rates, with units of emission intensity per second, were measured for a set of standard solutions, yielding the following results... 

Noncatalytic Reactions Chemical kinetic methods are not as common for the quantitative analysis of analytes in noncatalytic reactions. Because they lack the enhancement of reaction rate obtained when using a catalyst, noncatalytic methods generally are not used for the determination of analytes at low concentrations. Noncatalytic methods for analyzing inorganic analytes are usually based on a com-plexation reaction. One example was outlined in Example 13.4, in which the concentration of aluminum in serum was determined by the initial rate of formation of its complex with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde p-methoxybenzoyl-hydrazone. ° The greatest number of noncatalytic methods, however, are for the quantitative analysis of organic analytes. For example, the insecticide methyl parathion has been determined by measuring its rate of hydrolysis in alkaline solutions. 

LDL) present in serum. The effects of saturates, polyunsaturates, and dietary cholesterol on total semm cholesterol have been quantitated (98,99) using the following equations ... 

In type III or immunocomplex-mediated allergy, IgG antibodies form complexes with antigen. At low exposures, the body is able to remove diese complexes, but if there is a severe exposure, immunocomplexes release a variety of proinflammatory cytokines. The involvement of this mechanism is clearest in serum sickness. This mechanism is also considered to be most important in the development of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, especially... 

J. R K. Huber and G. Lamprecht, Assay of neopterin in serum by means of two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography with automated column switching using tliree retention mechanism , 7. Chromatogr. B 666 223-232(1995). 

S. Bompadre, E. Eeixante, E. P. A16 and E. Eeone, On-line solid-phase exti action of ceftazidime in serum and determination by high-perfoimance liquid chi omatography , 7. Chromatogr. B 669 265-269 (1995). 

Multidimensional LC has also been used to determine ursodeoxycholic acid and its conjugates in serum (14). These compounds are used in the treatment of cholesterol gallstones, hepatitis and bilary cirrhosis. These authors employed a traditional (10 X 4 mm) pre-column and a micro-bore (35 X 2 mm) analytical column that were interfaced by using a six-port switching valve. 

An affinity sorbent based on WPA-PG carrying immobilized human IgG was applied to the isolation of the first component of the complement (Cl) from human serum and for its separation into subcomponents Clr, Cls and Clq by the one-step procedure [126,127]. Cl was quantitatively bound to the sorbent at 0 °C. The activities of subcomponents Clq and Clr2r2 in the unbound part of the serum were found to be 0.8% and 3.3% of the initial activities in serum. This fraction, therefore, could be used as a R1 reagent for determining the hemolytic activity of Cl. Apparently, the neighboring macromolecules of immobilized IgG resemble to some extent an immune complex, whereas Cl formation is facilitated due to the mobility of polymer chains with the attached IgG macromolecules (Cl is usually dissociated in serum by 30%). After activation of bound Cl by heating (30 °C, 40 min) the activated subcomponent Clr is eluted from the sorbent. Stepwise elution with 0.05 mol/1 EDTA at pH 7.4 or with 0.05 mol/1 EDTA + 1 mol/1 NaCl at pH 8.5 results in a selective and quantitative elution of the activated subcomponent Cls and subcomponent Clq. 

Concurrent use of the fluoroquinolones with theophylline causes an increase in serum theophylline levels. When used concurrently with cimetidine, the cimetidine may interfere with the elimination of the fluoroquinolones. Use of the fluoroquinolones with an oral anticoagulant may cause an increase in the effects of the oral coagulant. Administration of the fluoroquinolones with antacids, iron salts, or zinc will decrease absorption of the fluoroquinolones. There is a risk of seizures if fluoroquinolones are given with the NSAIDs. There is a risk of severe cardiac arrhythmias when the fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin are administered with drains that increase the QT interval (eg, quini-dine, procainamide, amiodarone, and sotalol). 

An increase in serum lipids is believed to contribute to or cause atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by deposits of fatty plaques on the inner walls of arteries. These deposits result in a narrowing of the lumen (inside diameter) of the artery and a decrease in blood supply to the area served by the artery. When these fatty deposits occur in the coronary arteries, the patient experiences coronary artery disease. Lowering blood cholesterol levels can arrest or reverse atherosclerosis in the vessels and can significantly decrease the incidence of heart disease. 

Fludrocortisone is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to fludrocortisone and those with systemic fungal infections. Fludrocortisone is used cautiously in patients with Addison s disease infection, and during pregnancy (Pregnancy Category C) and lactation. Fludrocortisone decreases the effects of the barbiturates, hydantoins, and rifampin. There is a decrease in serum levels of the salicylates when those agents are administered with fludrocortisone... 

Additive bone marrow depressive effects occur when the miotic inhibitor drugs are administered with other anti-neoplastic dragp or radiation therapy. Administration of vincristine with digoxin results in a decreased therapeutic effect of tlie digoxin and decreased plasma digoxin levels. There is a decrease in serum concentrations of phenytoin when administered widi vinblastine... 

FIGURE 5-17 Flow injection potentiometric determination of potassium in serum. (Reproduced with permission from reference 47.)... 

This is not a distinct clinical entity. The most frequent form of the condition is primarily associated with severe cardiac dysfunction often in combination with dysmorphy. It is confusing, however, because a paralytic attack is accompanied by extrasystoles and tachycardia. Serum may be high, low or normal. A familial form of the disorder is exacerbated by cold and high but is relieved by Na loading. It is, however, not associated with any specific changes in serum K. ... 

A fall in serum is commonly associated with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Primary hypokalemic paralysis is usually first expressed in children and young adults. Paralytic attacks may fluctuate with remarkable frequency, and there is a common diurnal variation in severity, with weakness especially bad in the morning and evening. The condition has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance caused by an abnormality in or close to locus lql3. The gene product is unknown. 

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