Nephelometric assay of apolipoprotein A-I with a centrifugal analyzer.

We developed an automated immunonephelometric assay for quantification of human apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) with a fluorescence light-scattering microcentrifugal analyzer. The presence of polyethylene glycol and Tween 20 in the reaction mixture ensures maximum exposure of the antigenic sites of the apoprotein so that immune complex formation occurs more rapidly (reaction is complete within 2 min) and to a greater extent. Lipemia and hemolysis do not interfere with the measurement of apo A-I. The method requires only 10 microL of specimen and is fast and easy to perform. Results vary linearly with apo A-I concentrations to 2.5 g/L. Assay precision (CV) was 3.1% for a specimen with an apo A-I concentration of 1.45 g/L, and the lower limit of detection was 0.15 g/L. Values for a candidate Reference Material agree well with those reported in an international survey (Clin Chem 1985;30:223-8).