Effect of HbE and HbH on HbA1C level by ionic exchange HPLC comparing to immunoturbidimetry

Abstract

Background: The hemoglobin (Hb)A1C level is widely used to monitor diabetes mellitus patients. The N-terminal amino acid valine of its β chain is glycated. The assay of HbA1C is based on differences in the charge, chemical and structural properties of the protein. Methods: There are fully automated instruments available in clinical chemistry laboratory to assay HbA1C level. The effect of hemoglobinopathies was studied between an ionic exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA) and immunoturbidimetry (BM/Hitachi 912 with Roche HBA1CII, Germany-Japan) assay. The influence of high level HbF relative to the HbA1C level by ionic exchange HPLC is known. The effect of HbE and HbH to the HbA1C level by ionic exchange HPLC comparing to immunoturbimetry was examined. The evaluation was performed on 34 normal controls (A2A), 17 β thalassemia traits (A2 ↑ A), 36 HbE heterozygotes (EA), 37 HbE homozygotes (EE), 36 β thalassemia/HbE (EF/EFA), 11 EABart's diseases (EABart's), 34 Hb H diseases (A2/CSAH) and 13 cord blood samples (FA). Conclusions: Hemoglobinopathies can impact on the assay of HbA1C level such as HbE and HbH to ionic exchange HPLC. Although not studied as yet, this effect may influence the other methods such as affinity chromatography. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.