Creatinine determination in urine samples by batchwise kinetic procedure and flow injection analysis using the Jaffé reaction: chemometric study

The classical Jaffé reaction for the determination of creatinine in urine samples is tested. A comparative study of the main analytical characteristics focussed to minimize the bias error and improve the precision, for the batchwise and flow injection (FI) methods is realized. Also, the effect of the albumin concentration in the determination of creatinine has been studied. Different analytical signals were studied. Absorbance increments at different times permit to estimate the creatinine concentration free from bias error in urine by the batchwise method using the calibration graph obtained with creatinine standards and no measurement of the blank solution is needed. The lineal interval was 0.92–50 mg l⁻¹ and seven samples can be processed per hour by an operator. No previous treatment of the urine sample is necessary. The FI method provides also good results. The lineal interval was 30–100 mg l⁻¹ and the sample rate was around 20 samples per hour. If increased albumin levels are detected in the urine, standard addition method or the calibration graphs with standards in presence of albumin are needed in order to obtain accurate results when FI method is employed. The obtained accuracy of the both methods allows its application as diagnostic tool to establish the urinary creatinine levels.     

高效毛细管区带电泳法快速测定尿液中的肌酐

建立了一种快速测定尿中肌酐浓度的高效毛细管电泳方法。利用非涂层石英毛细管(64.5 cm×50μm i.d),以pH 2.5,0.1 mmol/L H3PO4作为电泳缓冲液,检测波长191 nm,用0.05 Pa压力进样4 s,在电压16 kV快速分离尿液中的肌酐,采用外标法定量。肌酐的迁移时间约为5.5 min,肌酐浓度在34.5~8840μmol/L范围内呈良好的线性(r2=0.999)。平均日内精密度为2.5%,日间精密度为3.0%。回收率94.1%~99.0%。与全自动生化分析仪碱性苦味酸速率法相比有良好的相关性(r=0.990,n=56)。高效毛细管电泳法测定尿肌酐可应用于临床样品的检测。     

Traceable property values of in-house reference materials

The traceability of in-house reference materials (IHRM) is discussed. It is shown that a systematic error in results of a measured value, specific to a measurement method or to a laboratory developing an IHRM, can be overcome if a comparative approach to IHRM characterization is used. A traceability chain of the value carried by the IHRM to the value carried by the reference material with higher metrological status and sufficiently similar matrix (for example, a certified reference material – CRM according to ISO Guide 30) is helpful in such a case. The chain is realized when the IHRM samples are analysed simultaneously with the CRM samples under the same conditions. This and other traceability chains necessary for the IHRM development are examined as the measurement information sources.     

Separation and determination of 11 marker pteridines in human urine by liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection

A simple liquid chromatographic method has been developed to achieve the complete separation and determination of a wide range of pteridinic compounds and creatinine (CREA) in urine samples, in just one run. The influences of mobile phase composition and buffer pH have been studied. The optimized mobile phase was composed of a Tris-HCl buffer (15 mmol/L) at pH 6.10 solution (eluent A) and a Tris-HCl buffer (15 mmol/L) at pH 6.40 solution (eluent B), in gradient mode. Analytes were determined by fluorimetric detection, exciting at 272 nm, and measuring the fluorescence emission at three wavelengths, 410, 445 and 465 nm. CREA, as a reference of metabolites excretion in urine, was determined by photometric detection at 230 nm. Pteridines detection limits varied from 0.2 to 6.1 ng/mL, and 0.2 g/mL for CREA. Calculated precision values expressed as RSD (%) varied from 1.1 to 5.9. Two different oxidation procedures for urine samples were optimized. The neopterin/biopterin ratios found were 0.98 and 0.86 for adults and children, respectively, by means of the alkaline iodide/iodine oxidation and 0.45 and 0.57 using neutral KMnO(4) oxidation.     

Trends in the certification of reference materials

The certification of reference materials is still a rapidly developing area. Mostly driven by demands from laboratories, new reference materials are produced, and even new categories of materials are developed, such as genetically modified organism materials or materials for qualitative analysis. Even in more classical areas, such as the certification of chemicals for purity, there are important new insights, in particular in modelling the measurements and the property values. Laboratories are asking increasingly for uncertainty budgets of reference materials that are compatible with the concepts of the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement, thus putting stronger demands to improve not only the quality of the materials, but also of the science and technology behind a certification. Three important issues are highlighted to exemplify these trends: the further interpretation of homogeneity and stability data, the appreciation of asymmetry due to mathematical constraints (relevant for, e.g., purity and trace analysis), and the certification of reference materials for qualitative measurement.Presented at BERM-9—9th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, 15–19June 2003, Berlin, Germany     

Performance of electrolyte assays in the United Kingdom—reference target values

Wales External Quality Assessment Scheme (WEQAS) is one of the largest external quality assessment (EQA) providers in the United Kingdom, with over 600 participants. Over the last two and a half years, reference target values have been used for the electrolyte panel in the WEQAS General Chemistry scheme. Reference methods have a vital role in that they ensure the transfer of accuracy from definitive methods to routine methods. Validated reference methods, using flame emission/atomic absorption spectrometry were established for sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and lithium. These methods were validated by direct comparison with the definitive method via the use of primary reference material. Comparison against the all laboratory trimmed mean (ALTM) showed a small mixed systematic error for sodium and potassium, with a maximum bias from the reference value of 1% and 2%, respectively. Lithium and magnesium data showed predominant systematic constant errors of +0.03 and +0.02 mmol/l, respectively. For calcium, ALTM results showed a mixed systematic error with a cross over in the reference range (5% positive bias and constant error of –0.1 mmol/l). Over 40% of participants used the cresolpthalein complexone method, greatly influencing the ALTM value, (11% bias, constant error –0.26 mmol/l). Other methods such as the ion selective electrode (ISE) method were in closer agreement to the reference method (–4% bias, +0.05 mmol/l constant error). The study highlights the pitfalls of using the overall mean data as an accuracy target in EQA schemes.Presented at the 8th Conference on Quality in the Spotlight, 17–18 March 2003, Antwerp, Belgium     

Creatinine determination in serum by capillary electrophoresis

Creatinine in human serum was separated in a fused-silica capillary with H3PO4 (75 mmol/L, pH 2.5) as BGE, followed by UV detection at 200 nm. Serum with methylimidazole added as internal standard was deproteinized with acetonitrile and the supernatant, after dilution with water was injected at pressure mode. Creatinine and methylimidazole were baseline-resolved in 6.5 min. Linearity in the 0-880 micromol/L range gave an r2 > or = 0.998, recovery was 102 +/- 2.8% (n = 6). Enzymatic breakdown with creatininase confirmed that serum does not interfere. The within-day and between-days coefficient of variation (CV) were < or = 2.16 and 2.7%, respectively. The accuracy, determined for lyophilized samples by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was < or = +/- 2.0%. The results were compared with HPLC for 32 lyophilized samples and on 27 serum pools. Capillary electrophoresis, rapid and inexpensive, seems a promising alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for creatinine determination in human serum.     

Improvements in efficiency of production and traceability for certification of reference materials

Issues of current interest to certified reference material producers are addressed. Alternative strategies for certification of matrix reference materials are discussed and the benefits of adopting a flexible, cost-effective approach are described. The difficulty of undertaking homogeneity testing where certification is to be carried out with definitive techniques capable of providing very small measurement uncertainty is discussed. Methodology is described which combines conventional screening of the candidate material for homogeneity with an additional, precise assessment of homogeneity based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry measurements. A systematic procedure for evaluating the commutability (horizontal traceability or scope) of matrix reference materials has been evaluated and shows that in some circumstances matrix effects may be less pervasive than is generally believed. This offers the possibility, especially for trace analysis applications, of more efficient use of existing reference materials without compromising measurement reliability. Vertical traceability of matrix reference material data is of growing interest but is difficult to achieve with present interlaboratory certification exercises. A modification is described which attempts to address this issue. It also offers the possibility of improved identification of outliers and reduced variation of data between the participating laboratories.Presented at BERM-9—9th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, 15–19June 2003, Berlin, Germany     

Homogeneity and stability of reference materials

 Homogeneity and stability are two crucial characteristics of any certified reference material (CRM). Utmost care must be taken during preparation to create materials as homogeneous and stable as possible. Degradation can generally be minimised by reducing the water activity of the material to a level between 0.15 and 0.35. However, careful preparation by itself is not enough. Positive demonstration of homogeneity and stability is required from the perspective of implementing uncertainty calculus according to the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). In many cases, homogeneity and stability studies fail to give sufficient quantitative information on homogeneity and stability, mainly because of a lack of measurement repeatability and insufficient number of replicates. In this work, some solutions to these problems and their implications are presented. Received: 25 April 2000 / Accepted: 12 September 2000     

Simultaneous determination of serotonin and creatinine in urine by combining two ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextractions with on-column stacking in capillary electrophoresis

This article describes the development of a rapid, simple, and sensitive analytical approach for the simultaneous determination of serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine) and creatinine in urine samples by combining two ultrasound‐assisted emulsification microextractions (USAEMEs) in series with on‐column stacking in CE. This serial USAEME procedure comprises analytes extraction from the donor solution (urine with K₂CO₃ additive) to an organic solvent followed by a back‐extraction from the organic phase into a small volume of hydrochloric acid. After 15 min of sample pretreatment, the acidic acceptor solution was analyzed directly on CE in the mode of capillary zone electrophoresis. The adoption of HCl as the acceptor phase not only provided effective back‐extraction but also facilitated pH‐mediated on‐column stacking in CE analysis. About 360‐fold sensitivity enhancement was achieved for serotonin detection. The limits of detection were 7.9 nM for serotonin and 13.3 μM for creatinine, respectively. Satisfactory results were obtained with respect to precision and recovery. The proposed method has been demonstrated to be convenient and effective for the analysis of real urine samples. We believe that two USAEMEs in series will find wide applications in simplified sample pretreatment prior to CE analysis.     

Establishment of SI-traceable reference values for the content of various elements in the IMEP-14 sediment sample

For the first time in the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP)-14, a sediment sample was offered to analytical laboratories to perform measurements of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Ni, U and Zn. In line with IMEP policy, the results were presented according to the certified / assigned reference values established by several reference laboratories around the world. The certification campaign is described in detail. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry was applied as a primary method of measurement, whenever possible, to achieve SI-traceable results. For reference measurements of As, Fe, Hg and Zn, k₀-neutron activation analysis and Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry were applied. The reference values (ranges) were characterised as ”certified” (for Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and U) or ”assigned” (for As, Cu, Fe, Hg and Zn) according to IMEP policy. The measurement uncertainty of the certified / assured reference values was calculated according to the ISO/BIPM Guide. Received: 7 June 2001-10-27 Accepted: 19 August 2001     

Multicommutation in flow analysis. Part 3. Spectrophotometric kinetic determination of creatinine in urine exploiting a novel zone sampling approach

Zone sampling performed on a single analytical channel and associated with the stopped-flow approach was proposed and applied to the spectrophotometric kinetic determination of creatinine in urine based on Jaffé's reaction. The flow network comprised microcomputer controlled three-way solenoid valves. With multicommutation, the potentialities of zone sampling and stopped-flow were expanded, and the design of the flow set up was simplified. Influence of the main related parameters such as system configuration, reagent concentrations, temperature and timing were studied. The proposed system handled about 24 samples per hour. Baseline drift was not observed during extended operation periods (8 h). Sample pretreatment was not required. Results were reproducible (R.S.D. < 3%) and in agreement with those obtained in a batch procedure.     

Amperometric Determination of Creatinine with a Dialysis Membrane‐Covered Nitrobenzene/Water Interface for Urine Analysis

The ion transfer of creatinine (CRE) at a polarized nitrobenzene (NB)/water (W) interface has been studied. When the pH of the W phase is in the range of 1.2 to 4.0, a well‐defined voltammetric wave is observed for a simple transfer of CRE⁺ (protonated form) at the NB/W interface. This transfer reaction has been applied to develop an amperometric method for the determination of CRE in urine. In this system, the NB/W interface is covered with a dialysis membrane to prevent possible interference from urine proteins. The concentration of CRE in a urine control has successfully been determined.     

稻壳制备多孔炭对肌酐的吸附

研究了具有高比表面积稻壳基多孔炭(简称RHC)对人体内代谢产物肌酐(简称CR)的吸附, 将采用氢氧化钠活化稻壳制备的四种多孔炭和二种商业活性炭对肌酐的吸附进行了对比, 同时考察了盐酸、硝酸和双氧水对多孔炭进行表面处理及其经过高温处理(800 ℃)后对肌酐的吸附. 结果表明稻壳基多孔炭对肌酐的吸附超过商业炭,经过表面处理后多孔炭的吸附能力增强, 无氧化性盐酸处理后的多孔炭对肌酐的吸附量最大, 氧化性最强的硝酸处理后的多孔炭对肌酐的吸附量最小, 双氧水居中, 高温处理后的多孔炭吸附能力有所降低. 实验证实了多孔炭对CR的吸附符合Freundlich方程.     

Uncertainty calculations in the certification of reference materials 4. Characterisation and certification

The main objective of the certification of a reference material is to determine its property values including their uncertainty. In the previous parts of this series, the basis for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty of the property values has been examined, including the conversion of homogeneity and stability study data into standard uncertainties. In this final part, the determination of the property values and the modelling of the certification process is discussed. It is noted that the characterisation of a reference material can be modelled in some cases using analysis of variance statistics, but a more generally applicable model can be developed based on χ²-fitting. Furthermore, it is concluded that there is an advantage in using absolute standard uncertainties instead of relative ones when modelling the certification process. Received: 14 October 2000 Accepted: 21 January 2001     

Producing SI-traceable reference values for Cd, Cr and Pb amount contents in polyethylene samples from the Polymer Elemental Reference Material (PERM) project using isotope dilution mass spectrometry

 The present paper describes the certification of the amount content of Cd, Cr and Pb in two different polyethylene materials within the third phase of the Polyethylene Elemental Reference Material (PERM) project. The analytical procedure to establish the reference values for Cd, Cr and Pb amount contents in these materials is based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry used as a primary method of measurement. Cd and Pb were measured with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and Cr with positive thermal ionization-mass spectrometry. The decomposition of the polymer matrix was carried out using a high pressure asher. Reference values for amount content, traceable to the SI-system, have been obtained for these three elements in both of the polyethylene samples of PERM. For each of the certified amount content values an uncertainty budget was calculated using the method of propagation of uncertainties according to ISO and EURACHEM guidelines. The measurement procedures, as well as the uncertainty calculations, are described for all three elements. In order to keep the whole certification process as transparent as possible, the preparations of various reagents and materials as well as the sample treatment and blending are described in detail. The mass spectrometry measurements and the data treatment are also explained carefully. The various sources of uncertainty present in the procedure are displayed in the uncertainty budgets. The obtained combined uncertainties for the amount content values were less than 2% relative (k=1) for all investigated elements. The amount contents were in the μmol/kg range, corresponding to mg/kg levels. Received: 21 October 1999 / Accepted: 29 January 2000     

Determination of ammonia, creatinine and inorganic cations in urine using CE with contactless conductivity detection

CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C(4)D) was used to determine waste products of the nitrogen metabolism (ammonia and creatinine) and of biogenic inorganic cations in samples of human urine. The CE separation was performed in two BGEs, consisting of 2 M acetic acid + 1.5 mM crown ether 18-crown-6 (BGE I) and 2 M acetic acid + 2% w/v PEG (BGE II). Only BGE II permitted complete separation of all the analytes in a model sample and in real urine samples. The LOD values for the optimized procedure ranged from 0.8 microM for Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) to 2.9 microM for NH(4)(+) (in terms of mass concentration units, from 7 microg/L for Li(+) to 102 microg/L for creatinine). These values are adequate for determination of NH(4)(+), creatinine, Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) in real urine samples.     

高效毛细管电泳测定尿液中非蛋白氮代谢产物

采用高效毛细管区带电泳法分离分析了尿液中的肌酸、肌酐、尿素和尿酸这四种非蛋白氮代谢产物。在优化的条件下,使用50mmol L的低pH(pH4.0)醋酸缓冲液,在非涂层毛细管(21cm×75μmi.d.)中,15kV,25℃和200nm下,13min内可对尿液中上述4种物质同时进行定量。尿液样品仅用缓冲溶液1:1稀释后直接用于分析。各物质的迁移时间和峰面积的RSDmax均≤1%,检出限(S N=3)和线性范围分别为:肌酸(5μmol L,10～1000μmol L);肌酐(0.8μmol L,5～3000μmol L);尿素(100μmol L,1000～30000μmol L);尿酸(5μmol L,10～1500μmol L)。可用于临床上病人尿液的日常分析和早期肾病的监测。     

Flow method based on cloud point extraction for fluorometric determination of epinephrine in human urine

A novel stepwise injection fluorometric method for the determination of epinephrine in human urine has been developed. In the current study, the stepwise injection analysis (SWIA) was successfully combined with on-line in-syringe cloud point extraction (CPE) and fluorometric detection. The procedure was based on the epinephrine derivatization in the presence of o-phenylenediamine followed by the preconcentration stage based on the CPE with the nonionic surfactant Triton X-114. After the phase separation into a syringe of the flow system, the micellar phase containing the epinephrine derivative was transported to a fluorometric detector. The excitation and emission wavelengths were set at 447 nm and 550 nm, respectively. The conditions of epinephrine derivatization and CPE have been studied. The calibration plot constructed using the developed procedure was linear in the range of 1·10⁻¹¹–5·10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The limit of detection, calculated as 3 σ of a blank test (n = 10), was found to be 3·10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of epinephrine in human urine samples.     

Determination of uric acid and creatinine in human urine using hydrophilic interaction chromatography

Uric acid is the end-product of purine metabolism and a major antioxidant in humans. The concentrations of uric acid in plasma and urine are associated with various diseases and routinely measured in clinical and biomedical laboratories using enzymatic conversion and colorimetric measurement. In this study a hydrophilic interaction chromatographic (HILIC) method was developed for simultaneous determination of uric acid and creatinine, a biomarker of urine dilution and renal function, in human urine. Urine samples were pretreated by dilution, protein precipitation, centrifugation and filtration. Uric acid and creatinine were separated from other components in urine samples and quantified using HILIC chromatography. A linear relationship between the ratio of the peak area of the standards to that of the internal standard and the concentration of the standards was obtained for both uric acid and creatinine with the square of correlation coefficients >0.999 for both analytes. The detection limits were 0.04 μg/mL for creatinine and 0.06 μg/mL for uric acid. The described HILIC method has proved to be simple, accurate, robust and reliable.