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.  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 and iohexol.  Third, both Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA have an exemplary safety profile and are clinically used to evaluate GFR via MRI (2,3) and soon we will be introducing an inulin FIT kit.  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 mice.  Sixth, because clinical-grade Gd-DTPA (Magnevist®) and Gd-DOTA (Dotarem®) can be obtained, FIT-GFR can be used in research clinical subjects.  Seventh, the presence of an effective renal plasma flow (RPF) marker, such as iodohippurate, in the sample will not affect the accuracy of the FIT-GFR measurement.  Therefore, researchers can simultaneously obtain a GFR and RPF measurement in the same subject using FIT kits.

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.
Clinical Research:  Abstract [PDF]   -   Poster [PDF]
Veterinary Research:  Abstract [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.

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.
    
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  Coming Soon! 

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.

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