INTRODUCTION: The number of assays available for the measurement of total and free PSA is increasing. As different methods can determine different PSA concentrations as well as different free-to-total PSA ratios in identical serum samples, the cut-offvalue for the ratio still needs to be determined. METHODS: 114 sera from patients with histologically confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n = 58) and cancer of the prostate (CaP; n = 56) were analyzed with two different assays. Free PSA (free), total PSA (total) and the free-to-total- PSA ratio (ratio) were determined employing Enzym-Test PSA und freies PSA (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) and Immulite PSA und freies PSA (DPC Biermann, Bad Nauheim, Germany) RESULTS: The statistical results are tabulated below: [table: see text] CONCLUSION: Direct comparison of the two assays revealed a high statistical correlation (r = 0.94-0.99) for free and total PSA. In contrast, the ratio of the two assays was not as reproducible (r = 0.81-0.83). This result indicates that the reference range for the ratio is dependent on the assay employed and an that uncritical use of an applied reference range can be counter-productive.

Aged↗

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[The biochemical mechanism of action of proquazone with special reference to the metabolism of connective tissue (biochemical studies for the determination of antiinflammatory effectiveness)].

A method is proposed to determine the specific radioactivity of proteokeratan sulfate and proteochondroitin sulfate after incorporation of 35SO4 and 3H-glucosamine. Proquazone inhibits the incorporation of 35SO4 in proteochondroitin sulfate and also in proteokeratan sulfate. Also the incorporation of 3H-glucosamine in proteokeratan sulfate and proteochondroitin sulfate is inhibited. A mechanism is proposed in which Proquazon inhibits the core protein synthesis of proteoglycans and the secondary biosynthesis of the glycosaminoglycan chains. In our opinion the action of an anti-inflammatory drug is based on the inhibition of the proteoglycan synthesis in the anabolic phase of the inflammation.

Amino Acids↗

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