Urine contains an inhibitor for turbidimetric determinations of protein

Our examination of urine components separated by gel filtration revealed the presence of an inhibitor that decreases the analytical recovery of protein in a turbidimetric assay involving sulfosalicylic acid as reagent (Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 92: 748, 1956). The apparent relative molecular mass of this inhibitor was in the range 160 000-240 000. A study with purified proteins showed a similar inhibition by gamma-globulin, glycoprotein, and beta-lipoprotein in the assay of albumin by the same turbidimetric method. In contrast, measurement of protein by a dye binding method was not affected by these materials. The low values for apparent urinary protein given by the turbidimetric method as compared with those by the dye-binding method are at least partly ascribable to the inhibitor.