Mp. Cohen et al., PURIFIED HEMOGLOBIN PREPARATIONS IN THE EVALUATION OF HBA1C DETERMINATION BY ION-EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY, Annals of clinical biochemistry, 30, 1993, pp. 265-271
The use of ion exchange resins for the estimation of HbA1c in clinical
samples rests on the assumption that HbA1c is effectively and efficie
ntly separated from other N-terminally modified haemoglobins and from
HbA(o). To test this assumption, we applied highly purified preparatio
ns of HbA1a+1b, HbA1c and HbA(o) to ion exchange minicolumns, using co
nditions of application simulating actual blood samples and the first
and second elution buffers provided by the manufacturer. The authentic
ity and purity of the applied haemoglobin preparations were documented
by high performance liquid chromatography, gel electrophoresis and ca
rbohydrate content. About 40% of the applied HbA1a+1b eluted in the fi
rst fraction; 45% eluted in the second fraction, and 10% to 15% requir
ed 1 mol/L NaCl to elute from the column. Of the applied HbA1c, 65-80%
eluted where expected in the second fraction, about 20% required 1 mo
l/L NaCl to elute from the column, and the remainder eluted with HbA1a
+1b. Some 3-6% of pure HbA(o) applied to minicolumns emerged in the se
cond fraction, with the remainder eluting as expected after making the
buffer 1 mol/L in NaCl. The results indicate that the fraction elutin
g from ion exchange minicolumn chromatography that is designated 'HbA1
c' contains HbA1a+1b, and that a substantial portion of the HbA1c in a
n applied sample does not elute in this fraction.