Enzymatic rate assay of creatinine in serum and urine

A two-step method for assaying creatinine in serum and urine samples, suitable with automated analyzers, is reported. Reagent 1, for the first step, contains a blanking system [creatine amidinohydrolase (CRTase), urease, glutamate dehydrogenase, NADPH, and 2-oxoglutarate] and a NADPH-regenerating system [Mg(2+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), MgCl2, and excess isocitrate]. Reagent 2, for the second step, contains the metal-chelating reagent trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CyDTA) and a trigger system [creatinine amidohydrolase (CRNase)]. When a specimen is mixed with reagent 1, all the creatine, urea, and NH3 present are removed by the blanking and NADPH systems. On adding reagent 2, CyDTA inactivates ICD to inhibit the NADPH system. Simultaneously, the creatinine (1 mol) in the specimen is hydrolyzed into creatine by CRNase, and then releases NADP+ (2 mol) through the blanking system. Our optimized method can determine creatinine linearly up to 500 mg/L, with within-day CVs < 1.2% and day-to-day CVs < 2.7%.