High-throughput multi-analyte screening for renal disease using capillary electrophoresis

End-state renal disease (ESRD) affects 300 000 people in the United States each year. A large percentage of these individuals ( similar to 20%) die within the first year after diagnosis. Current methods of determining renal function rely on the measurement of a single marker using slow and frequently non-specific colorimetric methods. In this report. capillary zone electrophoresis was used to perform a multi-analyte assay for markers of renal function in urine. This method tested for creatinine (Cr). creatine (Cn), uric acid (UA), and p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) levels. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) were found to be 5 muM for Cr, 0.75 muM for Cn, and 1.5 muM for UA and PAH. Linear ranges were determined to be 5-500 muM for Cr, 0.75-500 muM for Cn, and 1.5-250 muM For UA and PAH. These ranges included the expected concentrations of the markers in human urine after 50-fold dilution. This screening method proved to be a simple and fast way to perform a high throughput analysis for multiple renal function indicators. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.