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영어

A sensitive membrane strip assay for plasma lipoprotein cholesterol that can be performed without handling reagents has been investigated. We previously developed an assay system with immobilized enzymes (cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase) on the surfaces of nitrocellulose membrane(1). In such a case, the amount of enzymes present on the membrane was limited by its surface area and, thus, the detection capability was relatively poor (> 50 mg/dL cholesterol). To overcome this problem, we devised a new system with non-immobilized enzymes by placing them within interstitial spaces of a celullose membrane pad in a dry state. Upon contact with sample medium, the enzymes were immediately dissolved and participated in the reactions with cholesterol in a liquid phase. We constructed a user-friendly system consisting of four membrane pads fro sample application, cholesterol decomposition, color development as signal, and medium absorption to invoke a continuous flow (sequential location from the bottom). A sample containing lipoproteins was added into the application pad by capillary action and transferred to the next pad for decomposition. The decomposition pad (namely, enzyme pad) contained a detergent (sodium cholate) for the destruction of lipoprotein particles, the two enzymes for cholesterol decomposition, and a chromogen (3,3'-diaminobenzidine). As a consequence of the enzyme reactions, hydrogen peroxide was produced, and then reacted in the presence of the chromogen with horseradish peroxidase immobilized on the signal generation pad. Finally, a colorimetric signal directly proportional to the cholesterol concentration was produced. The detection limit determined from this system under optimal conditions was at least 2 times lower than of the enzyme-immobilized system.