[Automated assay method for protein C anticoagulant activity]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry

Context:

• Protein C is a crucial vitamin K-dependent plasma protein that regulates coagulation.
• Assessing protein C anticoagulant activity is vital for diagnosing thrombotic disorders.
• Existing manual methods can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Purpose:

• To develop and validate an automated assay for quantifying protein C anticoagulant activity.
• To utilize a standard automated coagulation analyzer for enhanced efficiency.
• To establish the reliability and accuracy of the automated method.

Summary:

• An automated assay was developed using a recomposed protein C assay kit (BMY) and automated coagulation apparatus.
• The assay involves specific reagents including calcium chloride, protein C deficient plasma, and a phospholipid/activator mix.
• Regression analysis was performed on linear and logarithmic curves for different activity ranges, demonstrating good intra-assay (2.9-3.4%) and inter-assay (3.6-3.9%) variability.
• Results showed a strong correlation (r = 0.954) with a conventional manual method.

Impact:

• Provides a more efficient and standardized method for measuring protein C activity in clinical laboratories.
• Facilitates quicker and more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of conditions related to protein C deficiency or dysfunction.
• Enhances the utility of existing automated coagulation analyzers for broader diagnostic applications.