Methods of determining active levels of drugs in fluid samples
AssigneeClinical Reference Laboratory, Inc.
InventorsRobert L. Stout, Sue Min Chien, Steve H. Dunham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for determining the presence and level of active drugs in fluid samples are provided. Advantageously, entire families or classes of drugs can be tested for in one test by identifying the enzyme or receptor upon which members of that drug family act and measuring enzyme activity levels or binding activity levels of receptors. Methods for establishing standard activity levels of these drugs based upon results from samples having known quantities of drug therein are also provided.
Claims10
A method of determining the presence of an active angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibiting drug present in a fluid sample, said ACE-inhibiting drug in its active state modifying the activity level of ACE on a substrate, wherein said substrate is specific for ACE, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first fluid sample obtained from a patient that may contain any of said ACE-inhibiting drug, said first fluid sample being a serum or urine sample and including ACE;
- adding a quantity of said substrate to said first fluid sample;
- measuring the activity level of ACE on said substrate;
- comparing said measured activity level with a standard activity level established by testing serum or urine samples from a plurality of individuals other than the patient that have a known quantity of active ACE-inhibiting drug present;
- and
- determining the presence of said active ACE-inhibiting drug by the measured activity level compared to said standard activity level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.