The predictive value of plasma protein changes in disease is very largely unknown, as relevant clinical and laboratory studies are lacking. The usefulness of zone electrophoresis as a method of detecting a constellation of plasma protein changes is even less clear. With the advent of precise automated techniques for specific plasma protein measurement, zone electrophoresis has little to offer except in the identification and quantitation of paraproteins, where it is essential.
References
1.
KohnJ.A cellulose acetate supporting medium for zone electrophoresis. Clin Chim Acta1957: 2: 297–303.
2.
JohanssonB G. Agarose gel electrophoresis. Scand J Clin Lab Invest1972: 29 (Suppl. 124): 7–19.
3.
WhicherJ T. The interpretation of electrophoresis. Brit J Hosp Med1980; 24: 348–60.
4.
JcppssonJ-OLaurellC-BFranzenB. Agarose gel electrophoresis. Clin Chem1979: 25: 629–38.
5.
LaurellC-BElectrophoresis, specific protein assays, or both in measurement of plasma proteins. Clin Chem1973; 19: 99–102.
6.
WhicherJ T. The role of immunoglobulin assays in clinical medicine. Ann Clin Biochem1984; 21: 461–6.
7.
HeremansJFMassonP L. Specific analysis of immunoglobulins. Techniques and clinical value. Clin Chem1973: 19: 294–300.
8.
WhicherJTWarrenCChambersR E. Immunochemical assays for immunoglobulins. Ann Clin Biochem1984; 21: 70–91.
9.
AdamsRGSmithLPickeringPECThe incidence of monoclonal proteins during 7 years of screening in a District General Hospital. Immunology1984; 51: 451–4.
10.
WhicherJTDieppeP A.Acute phase proteins. Clinics in Immunology and Allergy1985; 5: 425–46.
11.
LaurellC-BComposition and variation of gel electrophoretic fractions of plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Scand J Clin Lab Invest1972; 29 (Suppl. 124): 71–82.
12.
ShettyPSWatrasiewiczKEJungRTJamesWPTRapid-turnover transport proteins: an index of subclinical protein-energy malnutrition. Lancet1979; 2: 230–2.
13.
BakerJPDetskyASWessonDENutritional assessment. A comparison of clinical judgement and objective measurements. N Eng J Med1982; 306: 969–72.
14.
PutnamF W. Haptoglobin. In: PutnamFW, ed., The Plasma Proteins, Vol. 2. London: Academic Press, 1975; 1–50.
15.
WhaleyK, Laboratory investigation of complement disorders. Clinics in Immunology and Allergy1985; 5: 407–24.
16.
JeppssonJ-OFranzenB.Typing of genetic variants of alpha I-antitrypsin by electrofocusing. Clin Chem1982; 28: 219–25.
17.
WernerMBrooksSHCohnenG. Diagnostic effectiveness of electrophoresis and specific protein assays, evaluated by discriminant analysis. Clin Chem1972; 18: 116–23.
