Enzymic assay of creatinine in serum and urine with creatinine iminohydrolase and glutamate dehydrogenase.

We describe an assay for creatinine in which it is converted by creatinine iminohydrolase (EC 3.5.4.21) into ammonia and N-methylhydantoin. The ammonia is subsequently assayed by use of alpha-ketoglutarate and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.3). Use of NADPH as coenzyme eliminates all interferences from endogenous reactions. Endogenous ammonia in the sample is eliminated during a preincubation. The reaction reaches the endpoint in 15 min at working temperatures of 20-37 degrees C. No sample blank or reagent blank is needed. The standard curve is linear at least to 884 mumol (100 mg) of creatinine per liter. Average analytical recovery of creatinine in serum and urine is 99%. Within-run and between-run CVs are less than or equal to 2% and less than or equal to 6% for creatinine values of 335 mumol/L (38 mg/L) and 80 mumol/L (0 mg/L), respectively. Results by the described method (y) compare well with those by Jaffé's kinetic test (y = 1.01x -- 12.8), Berthelot/AutoAnalyzer method after treatment with immobilized creatinine iminohydrolase (y = 0.987x -- 13.2), Jaffé's test run on the SMA 12/60 (y = 1.011x -- 5.8), the Wahlefeld method (y = 1.014x -- 0.88), and Jaffé's test after deproteinization and absorption on fuller's earth (y = 0.985x -- 3.08). The method may be suitable for discrete, including centrifugal, automation.