Determination of transferrin isoproteins in human cerebrospinal fluid using isoelectric focusing and zone immunoelectrophoresis assay

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Abstract
The relative amount of a transferrin isoprotein with isoelectric point 5.7 (Tf5.7) and its ratio to total transferrin concentration (Tfratio) in blood serum and plasma has earlier been shown to be a good marker for alcohol abuse and, recently, after occupational exposure to organic solvents. To facilitate study of the relatively low concentration of the transferrin forms in cerebrospinal fluid, the procedure for iron saturation and an earlier method using isoelectric focusing separation in gel followed by quantification with zone immunoelectrophoresis assay were improved. The detection limit was lowered more than tenfold, allowing determination of total transferrin amount in un‐concentrated cerebrospinal fluid. Samples from ten healthy volunteers were examined. The Tfratio in cerebrospinal fluid was found to be higher than in blood.