EPO test kit EIA3646

for anemiahematocritiron

The EPO ELISA is intended for the quantitative determination of Erythropoietin (EPO) in human serum. This assay is intended for in vitro diagnostic use, as an aid in the diagnosis of anemias and polycythemias. With the advent of the administration of recombinant erythropoietin as a biologic therapy to increase red blood cell mass, an erythropoietin assay may be used also to aid in the prediction and monitoring of response to recombinant erythropoietin treatment in persons with anemias. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a heavily glycosylated protein with a molecular weight of about 30,000 - 34,000 Daltons. Human EPO is a polypeptide consisting of 165 amino acids, containing one O-linked and three N-linked carbohydrate chains [1]. The recombinant EPO is a good substitute for the native protein for use in an immunoassay [2]. Serum EPO levels are dependent on the rate of production and the rate of clearance of the protein. Ninety percent of EPO is produced in the peritubular cells of the adult kidney in response to a decrease in tissue oxygenation [3,4]. There is evidence indicating that the protein on these cells which detects oxygen saturation of the blood is a heme-containing moiety [5]. As the pO2 of the plasma, a function of the hematocrit decreases, EPO concentration will increase [6]. There are also observations suggesting that normally there is an inverse correlation between serum EPO levels and red blood cell mass [7]. Quantitation of serum erythropoietin concentration serves as a diagnostic adjunct in determining the cause of anemia or erythrocytosis. Aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia and anemia due to iron deficiency all result in serum EPO elevation.