Technical Information

The most accurate method to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is to track the renal clearance of an ideal filtration marker (1).  An ideal filtration marker is a compound that is freely cleared through the glomerulus, is not reabsorbed and does not bind to serum proteins.  Chelated MRI contrast reagents, such as Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA, are examples of an ideal filtration marker, as well as the CT contrast reagent Iohexol.  Based on functional immunoassay technology (FIT^TM), BioPAL has developed immunoassay kits to measure the renal clearance of these compounds in order to obtain an accurate GFR measurement.

BioPAL's FIT-GFR^TM kits offer many advantages over competing methods.  First, ELISA tests offer high sample throughput and are readily available in most clinical and research laboratories.  Second, FIT-GFR is substantially less expensive compared to GFR measured using HPLC.  Third, both Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA have an exemplary safety profile and are clinically used to evaluate GFR via MRI (2,3) and we also offer an inulin FIT kit and will soon have an iohexol kit available.  Fourth, due to the high sensitivity offered by immunoassay, the amount of the administered filtration marker required for a FIT-GFR test is significantly lower compared to competing non-radioactive readout systems, providing an additional degree of safety and further reducing the cost of the study.  Fifth, given the small injectate volume and small sample size required for a FIT-GFR test, renal studies can be easily performed in small companion animals, such as felines, and in small research subjects, such as rats and mice.  Sixth, because clinical-grade Gd-DTPA (Magnevist®) and Gd-DOTA (Dotarem®) can be obtained, FIT-GFR can be used in research clinical subjects.

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY.
NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.

References

1. Kidney Int 52, S144 (1997)
2. J Mag Reson Imaging 20, 843 (2004)
3. J Mag Reson Imaging 22, 406 (2005)

Published Data
Download PDF files of abstracts and posters that were recently presented at the ASN Renal Week 2007.  The respective papers are In Press.
Clinical Research:  Poster [PDF]   -   Paper [PDF]
Veterinary Research:  Abstract [PDF]   -   Paper [PDF]

The Product

FIT-GFR Test Kits (Patents Pending)
BioPAL offers FIT-GFR kits that support either Gd-DTPA or Gd-DOTA as the filtration marker.
E-mail your questions to the customer service mailbox.

1. FIT-GFR Test Kit for Gd-DTPA
   BioPAL's FIT-GFR test kit contains Gd-DTPA concentrate, rabbit Gd-DTPA antiserum, HRP-Gd-DTPA conjugate, HRP substrate and stop reagents, a goat anti-rabbit IgG coated 96 well plate, a plate sealer, Gd-DTPA kit manual and documentation.
   Download a PDF price list.
   Download a PDF kit manual.
   Download a PDF MSDS.
   Download a PDF Protocol Guide.
    
2. FIT-GFR Test Kit for Gd-DOTA
   BioPAL's FIT-GFR test kit contains Gd-DOTA concentrate, rabbit Gd-DOTA antiserum, HRP-Gd-DOTA conjugate, HRP substrate and stop reagents, a goat anti-rabbit IgG coated 96 well plate, a plate sealer, Gd-DOTA kit manual and documentation.
   Download a PDF price list.
   Download a PDF kit manual.
   Download a PDF MSDS.
    
3. FIT-GFR Test Kit for Inulin
   BioPAL's FIT-GFR test kit contains inulin concentrate, rabbit inulin antiserum, goat anti-rabbit IgG-HRP, HRP substrate and stop reagents, an inulin 96 well coated plate, two plate sealer, inulin kit manual and documentation.  Ready-to-use inulin injectate is also available.
   Download a PDF price list.
   Download a PDF kit manual.
   Download a PDF MSDS.
   
   BioPAL's inulin immunoassay kits provide a superior analytical method to measure inulin for GFR and nutritional research studies.  This inulin test uses immunoassay to overcome all the major limitations associated with current analytical technology to measure inulin.  The kit provides a sensitive assay that exceeds other methods to measure inulin and can detect inulin at a concentration of 10 ng/ml.
   
   CLINICAL-GRADE INULIN:  At this time, BioPAL only provides non-clinical grade inulin for preclinical research ONLY.  For investigators that would be interested in clinical-grade inulin to support their clinical research, please download and submit our survey.  After completing the survey please FAX (508-770-1191) or e-mail (cs@BioPAL.com) the form to BioPAL.  Download a Survey Form.
   
   SINISTRIN (Inutest®):  BioPAL's FIT-GFR (Inulin) kit is compatible with Fresenius's sinistrin, which is an inulin-like compound and is highly soluble in water.  Sinistrin is marketed under the brand-name Inutest®.  You should contact your Fresenius representative for availability.  Download a Comparison Curve.
    
4. FIT-GFR Test Kit for Iohexol  Under Development! 

The Laboratory Service

BioPAL offers laboratory services for veterinarians who need to run a measured GFR test on canine or feline patients, but do not have the capability to perform the immunoassay in-house.

Request for Additional Information and Pricing