[Some problems in standardization of fructosamine tests]

The degree of nonenzymatic glycation of serum proteins was estimated in 500 nondiabetic subjects and in 124 Type 2 diabetic out-patients. The values were evaluated in relation to a DMF calibration curve, a secondary glycated protein standard and to serum protein concentrations. Neglecting the evaluation with respect to the protein concentration 0.4% of the samples from nondiabetics and 9% from diabetic patients would have been incorrectly interpreted. The fructosamine values from nondiabetic subjects showed a Gaussian distribution. The use of secondary protein standards is a premise to a widespread application of the fructosamine assay in diabetic care. The calibration of such secondary glycated protein standards results in some problems when using DMF protein mixtures as primary standards, because albumin preparations from the same or different suppliers gave variable standardization curves.