Method and composition for the determination of chloride ions in fluids

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a composition for the determination of chloride ions in fluids, wherein the influence on these ions of the activity of an enzyme is measured, wherein the enzymes are not including an α-amylase that has been deactivated by a calcium chelate compound. The enzymes which are used may be for example a hydrolase.

Description: This invention is concerned with methods and reagents for the determination of ions, hereinafter also called analytes, in biological and non-biological fluids. The invention is based on the ability of many analytes to stimulate or inhibit the activity of a sensitive enzyme. The analytes may be cations or anions, metallic or non-metallic, simple or compound. In practice it is frequently found that the analyte is present in the sample at a concentration that lies outside the range of sensitivity of the relevant analytical indicator enzyme, or that interference is caused by the presence of other ions to which the enzyme is also sensitive. This invention addresses and solves these problems in diverse ways. In the practice of Clinical Biochemistry the measurement of serum electrolytes are the most common analytical tests performed within hospitals. These measurements are requested not only for routine investigations, but frequently for emergency and life-threatening situations where speed of analysis is essential. Since a major source of delay in hospitals is the transport of specimens from the wards to the diagnostic laboratories, a method that is easily performed near the bedside would be of particular value in emergency situations. A common method of analysing potassium and sodium in clinical biochemistry practice is flame photometry. This process depends on the principle that certain atoms, when energized by heat, become excited and emit light of a characteristic wavelength when returning to ground state. The intensity of the characteristic wavelength of radiant energy produced by the atoms in the flame is directly proportional to the number of atoms excited in the flame, which is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance of interest in the sample. The apparatus required is complex and relatively expensive and requires the use of combustible gases. An alternative method especially for sodium, potassium and chloride makes use of ion-selective electrodes. Ideally, each electrode would possess a unique ion-selective property that would allow it to respond to only one ion. In practice this is not the case and interfering ions exist for all ion-selective electrodes. Moreover, ion-specific electrodes are not absolutely specific, although generally corrections are possible. The electrodes measure the potential developed in the presence of the specific ion. The instrumention is relatively expensive. Neither method can be performed spectrophotometrically and the clinical need for ion measurement, therefore, results in a substantial increase in the complexity of commercially available clinical analysers, most of which are designed primarily for spectrophotometric assays. Both methods require a considerable degree of skill and knowledge for their successful implementation. Similarily, the routine determination of chloride by coulometric methods requires special instrumentation. The endpoint of this titration procedure is detected by an increase in electrical flux completion of formation of insoluble silver chloride product. Alternatively, potentiometric determinations may be used which are also very time-consuming and involve additional instrumentation. For chloride, in addition, there are a number of photometric and titrimetric methods, which e. g. include: titrimetric determination of free Hg 2+ ions via diphenylcarbazone complex colorimetric determination of the rhodanide complex of iron, which is formed after dissociation of the mercury complexes upon precipitation of HgCl2 [Skeggs, Clin. Chem. 10, 1964, 918f.; Schmidt, Zentralblatt Pharm. 124 (9), 1985, 527f) colorimetric threshold test by bleaching of silverchromate by means of an excess of chloride ions [A. J. Courey et al., Clin. Chem. 29, 1593 (1983)] colorimetric determination of chloranilic acid from the respective mercury salt [Reuschler, Klin. Wochenschrift 40, 489 (1962)] determination of the coloured Cu 2+ complex of diethyldithiocarbaminic acid from the colourless mercury salt (German Offenlegungsschrift 2137146) the rather common TPTZ-method (tripyridile-s-triazine) (R. Fried, Zeitschr. Klin. Chem., Klin. Bioch. 10, 1972, 280f; the patent application DE 21 53 387) which is similarly based on the formation of a coloured metal complex upon dissociation of a mercury complex. A major drawback of these methods is the use of solutions containing highly toxic substances. Some of the methods are complicated and imprecise (e.g. the titration method). Many of the reagents are unstable and calibration curves are nonlinear (e.g. the rhodanide method). Some of these methods in addition need a pretreatment in order to eliminate interferences by the protein content of the sample. An improved TPTZ-method is described in the PCT application WO 83/002670, the use of toxic mercury compounds, however, is still a disadvantage. The only colorimetric method without use of mercury ions is the determination of hexachlorocomplexes of Fe(lll) in a perchloric acid solution [F. Hoppe, Ther. Ggw. 110 (4), 1971, 554f., H. Mahner, Zeitschr. Klin. Chem., Klin. Biochem. 11(11), 1973, 451f.; W. T. Law, Clin. Chem. 26 (13) 1980, 1874f.; US-Patent 4 278 440]. A considerable limitation of this method is the use of strongly acid reagents which are corrosive and therefore not compatible with mechanical pipetting systems. A further disadvantage is the interference by bilirubin in the samples. EP 207 392 discloses a non-enzymatic multi-layer ion test means in which the response is detected by using a reflective layer and optionally a opacifying layer. Calcium is a further example of an electrolyte which is routinely determined in the clinical laboratory. The concentration of this metal ion in body fluids is regulated within a narrow range. Pathologically high or low concentrations can lead to life- threatening disorders such as renal insufficiency, pancreatitis, tetany and congestive heart failure. JP 611 51 460 discloses a non-enzmyatic, polymeric multi-layer ion test means for the measurement of Ca-ions. One of the earliest methods for the determination of calcium was that described by Tisdall (J. Biol. Chem. 63, 461 - 465, 1925) in which calcium is precipitated by oxalic acid which is in turn estimated colorimetrically. The method involves a centrifugation step and is therefore very time-consuming; it is not specific for calcium and depends on a careful handling of samples. The method has been succeeded in many laboratories by titrimetric and direct colorimetric procedures. The former also has the drawback of a complicated and cumbersome procedure and requires large sample volumes. In the latter procedure calcium affects the colour of a dye, for example orthocresolphthalein complexone, which can be measured in a photometer. Due to the simplicity of the method it lends itself to automation in the clinical laboratory. The method, however, involves the use of aggressive, highly alkaline solutions and toxic substances. It is particularly prone to interference by a number of serum components such as lipids, proteins, phosphate and bilirubin and as a result does not agree well with atomic absorption and flame photometric reference methods. A further disadvantage of the colorimetric procedure is that the calibration curves are non-linear and the colour is greatly dependent on temperature. In W. H. Outlaw and 0. H. Lowry, Analytical Biochemistry 92, 370 - 374 (1979) an enzyme-mediated assay for measuring potassium ions in tissues is described. The method employs pyruvate kinase from rabbit muscle, which is activated by potassium ions and sodium ions, the former being about one forty-fold more effective. Because of this non-specificity the method may be suitable for plant material in which potassium ions are the predominant cations, but it is unsuitable for measurements in body liquids like serum which contains a thirty-fold excess of sodium ions. Therefore, sodium ions cause unacceptable interference when using the enzymatic photometric technique as described by Outlaw et al. to measure potassium in plasma or serum. A further problem is that ammonium ions give a similar activation to potassium ions. The above mentioned publication does neither address or solve these critical problems in regard to the analysis of potassium ions in biological fluids such as serum nor does it propose any method for the determination of sodium ions. The patent application EP 0 275 398 reaches a determination of chloride with a deactivated a-amylase. EP 0 150 227 discloses dipeptide derivatives for colorimetric or spectrophotometric measurements of the activity of carboxy peptidase A. DD 0 236 114 discloses a process for detecting bacterial contamination of liquor by means of a peptidase. M. C. Wimmer et al., Clin. Chem., Vol. 32, No. 4, 1986, describe a procedure for the determination of magnesium. However, by this method the interference by other ions cannot be avoided. The patent application DE 36 14 470 lacks the disclosure to make it a method for the potassium determination in serum with no significant interference of other ions, e.g. sodium ions. I. F. Dalmonova and N. N. Ugarova, J. Anal. Chem. of USSR (1980), Vol. 35, No. 8, Part 2, 1042 - 1081, includes the general discussion of the effect of some ions like beryllium, zinc and mercury ions to some enzymes, but there is no evidence that any of these methods have been made to work without the ingredients according to the present invention. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process and a reagent by which the above-mentioned problems are avoided. The invention solves the problems by a process for the determination of chloride ions (analytes) in fluids wherein the influence of these ions on the activity of an enzyme is measured. A key feature of this invention is the use of selectively binding agents to bring the free concentration of the analyte within the optimal range for the analytical enzyme, particularly when dilution of the fluid is not practicable. An additional element of the invention is the use of competitive inhibitors of the relevant analytical enzyme in order to reduce its sensitivity to the analyte, thereby permitting measurement of the latter at a higher concentration. This is especially useful, for example, where selective binding agents are not readily available or are unacceptably expensive. Another feature of the invention is that selective binding agents are employed to reduce the free concentrations of interfering ions to levels where interference is no longer significant. Use is also made of the fact that a competitive inhibitor may compete more effectively with interfering ions than with the analyte, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the enzyme to the analyte with respect to the interfering ion. An important element is the choice of optimal reaction conditions, including the selection of an appropriate isoenzyme, such that the stimulatory or inhibitory effects of the analyte are substantially greater that those of the interfering ions. In addition, the action of the analyte and interfering ions on the activity of the analytical enzyme should be additive so that, if the concentration of interfering ions is known, the concentration of the analyte can readily be determined by difference. Where an interfering ion is known to occur at a relatively constant concentration in the fluid under analysis, allowance can be made for this by including an appropriate concentration of the interfering ion in standard (calibrating) solutions. Another method for assaying such analytes is the use of a competitive binding assay where the analyte displaces another ion from binding agent and the effects of the released ion on the activity of an appropriate enzyme are determined. These general principles can best be illustrated in detail by showing their application to the determination of chloride ions in plasma or serum. However, they are applicable to a wide spectrum of ions, for example cations such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, lithium, lead, zinc, copper, iron or other heavy metals. Examples of non-metallic ions that can be measured are protons, bicarbonate or ammonium ions or substances that give rise to the formation of ammonium such as urea in the presence of urease, or glutamin in the presence of glutaminase. Suitable Enzymes Enzymes which may be used can be for example (H. J. Evans et al., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 17, 47; 1966): Transferases like phosphorous-containing group-transferring transferases. Such a transferase may be pyruvate kinase. In place of pyruvate kinase other kinases such as adenylate kinase or hexokinase, sensitive to magnesium ion or manganous ion may be employed. Another transferase is acetate kinase (from E. coli). Another example is pyridoxal kinase from brain which is sensitive to zinc ions. Hydrolases like glycosidases, for example a- or β-D-galactosidase (from Escherichia coli), carboxypeptidase A (from bovine pancreas), collagenase (from Clostridium hystolicum), amylase (from saliva or pancreas) or phosphoglycolate phosphatase. Also peptide hydrolases such as the cysteine or thioldependent proteinases, specific examples of which are Calpain I and II (also called calcium activated neutral protease) are described by Sasaki et al. in J. Biol. Chem. 259, 12489 - 12494, (1984). The latter enzymes can be isolated and purified from a variety of animal tissues such as: rat liver and kidney, human and porcine erythrocytes, bovine brain, and rabbit skeletal muscle according to the method of A. Kitahara et al., J. Biochem. 95, 1759 - 1766 (1984). A further example is dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I (E.C. 3.4,14.1, Cathepsin C), J. Ken McDonald, Bioch. Biophys. Res. Communication 24(5), 66, 771f and Biosis Database, Biol. Abs. acc. no. 74076433 describes C1 dependency of amylase. Oxidoreductases like glycerol dehydrogenase (from Enterobacter aerogenes), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (from yeast) or tyrosinase (catechol oxidase). Lyases like aldolase (from yeast) or carbonic anhydrase (from bovine erythrocytes). Other suitable enzymes are various enzymes from halophilic organisms. All enzymes do not have to be of natural source but can also be obtained by DNA recombination techniques. Selective Binding Agents : A wide variety of binding agents is available for the binding of analytes or interfering ions. Such binding or masking substances are cryptands, coronands, crown ethers, podands, spherands, hemispherands, calixarens and combinations thereof, naturally occurring ionophores, for example antibiotics, cyclic peptides like valinomycin, complexones and chelating agents, for example iminodiacetic acid, EDTA, nitrotriacetic acid and derivatives thereof. Such compounds are described in Kontakte (Merck), 1977, No. 1, p. 11 ff and p. 29 ff; Kontakte (Merck), 1977, No. 2, p. 16 ff; Kontakte (Merck), 1977, No. 3, p. 36 ff; Phase Transfer Catalysts, Properties and Applications (Merck-Schuchardt) 1987, Thermodynamic and Kinetic Data for Cation-Macrocycle Interaction; R. M. Izatt et al., Chemical Reviews 85, 271 - 339 (1985); Data for Biochemical Research, 1986, R. M. C. Dawson et al., Eds., 3rd Edition, 399 - 415 (Clarendon Press) Oxford; F. Vögtle et al., Chem. Macrocycles, Springer Verlag, New York, 1985; G. W. Gokel et al., Eds., Macrocyclic Polyether Synthesis, Springer Verlag, New York, 1982; M. Hiraoka, Ed., Crown Compounds, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Oxford, New York, 1982; J. M. Lehn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97, 6700 - 6707 (1975); G. Schwarzenbach et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 28, 828 (1945); S. F. A. Kettle, Koordinationsverbindungen, Taschentext 3, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim/Bergstr. 1972; A. E. Martell et al., Die Chemie der Metallchelatverbindungen, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim/Bergstr. 1958; M. Becke-Goehring et al., Komplexchemie, Springer-Verlag, 1970; F. Kober, Grundlagen der Komplexchemie, Otto-Salle-Verlag, Frankfurt/Main 1979; G. Schwarzenbach et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 31, 1029 (1948); R. G. Pearson et al., Science 151, 172 (1966). Examples of chelators capable of binding multivalent ions, in particular bivalent cations are ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (referred to as EGTA) and ethylenediamino-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). While many binding agents exist that can bind multivalent ions, e.g. EDTA and its derivatives, agents which bind monovalent ions are less common. Tetraphenylboron binds potassium ions. However, a group of compounds with wider possibilities are cryptands which are examples of reagents that can selectively bind monovalent cations in aqueous solutions (R. M. Izatt et al., Chem. Reviews 85, 271 - 339). Special examples for cryptands are the Kryptofix® compounds of Merck-Schuchardt, for example: 4,7,13,16,21-Pentaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.5]-tricosan, Kryptofix® 221, page 438, Merck-Schuchardt catalogue, dated 1987/88, no. 810646 (K 221). 4,7,13,16,21,24-Hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclol[8.8.8]hexacosan, Krypotfix® 222, page 438, Merck-Schuchardt catalogue, dated 1987/88, no. 810647 (K 222). As masking compounds for the elimination of interfering anions the following classes of substances may potentially be used: anion cryptands, heterocyclophanes, catapinands and inorganic metal complexes or insoluble salts. Special examples of anion complexing compounds are described in the literature, e.g. azamono- or azapolycycles, macrocyclic quaternary tetrahedron compounds, macrocyclic bis-metal complexes, macrocycles with covalently incorporated lewis acid centers, protonated or alkylated quaternary cryptands or catapinands [F. P. Schmidtchen, Nachrichten Chem. Techn. lab. 36 (1), 1988, S. 8f; E. Graf, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 98 (20), 1976, 6403f; C. H. Park, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 90 (9), 1968, 2431f] as well as e.g. the hexachlorocomplex of Fe(lll) or silver nitrate. Function of Binding Agents: These binding agents are used for the following purposes: 1. The selective binding of interfering ions. 2. To reduce the concentration of the analytes to optimal measuring levels, if dilution of the sample is not feasible. The use of a binding agent to lower the concentration of the ion to be determined into the appropriate range for enzymatic analyses serves to double the sensitivity of the method. 3. An embodiment of the invention is a process, wherein the binding agent is present and forms a complex with "indicator" ions, from which complex the indicator ions are displaced stoichiometrically by the analyte ions, and wherein the influence of the displaced indicator ions on the activity of an enzyme is assayed, thereby giving an indirect measure of the concentration of analyte ions. For example, in such a process the enzyme is pyruvate kinase, the indicator ions are potassium, the binding agent is Kryptofix® 221 and the ion to be determined is sodium; or the enzyme is a kinase, the indicator ion is Mg 2+ , the binding agent is a chelating agent, e.g. EDTA, and the analyte ion is a metal ion or the enzyme is pyridoxal kinase, the indicator ion is Zn 2+ , the binding agent is Kryptofix® 221, and the analyte ion is a heavy metal ion; or the enzyme is a-amylase, the binding agent is a metal of the first and second side group (subgroups I b and II b) of the periodic system according to the Mendelevian periodic table [Chemical Principles by W. J. Masterton and E. J. Slowinski (3rd Edition), Saunders Golden Series, W. B. Saunders Company 1973] for example Ag or Hg and the ion to be determined is chloride; or the enzyme is collagenase the binding agent is a chelating agent such as EDTA and the ion to be determined is calcium. Fluids for Analysis: The biological fluids in which the measurement of analytes is made are blood, serum, plasma, urine, sweat, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph or intestinal secretions, exudates or transudates for example. Nonbiological fluids are water or aqueous extracts or mixtures, like extracts of foodstuffs or fruits or fermented liquids such as wine. Determination of Chloride Ions For the determination of chloride in blood, plasma is incubated with a buffered mixture containing 0.01 mol/l cysteamine, 4 mmol/l Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide and 0.02 U/ml Cathepsin C. The formation of p-nitroaniline is entirely dependent on the presence of the chloride anions. Selective binding agents may be added in addition in order to eliminate interference by bromide ions or to decrease the activity of chloride ions so as to adjust their concentration to the optimal range of the enzyme. Under the conditions chosen for analysis (see example A) the rate of formation of p-nitroaniline: is proportional to the concentration of chloride ions in the sample. In this example the rate of the reaction is determined by measurement of the increase of absorption at 405 nm. The concentration ranges of the compounds of such a determination method are: Citrate buffer 0.01 - 0.2 mol/l pH 4 - 7 (preferred: 5.0 - 5.5) Cysteamine 1 - 20 mmol/l Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide 1 - 20 mmol/l Cathepsin C 1 - 100 mU/ml Any buffer having a PK in the required pH range and a negligible chloride concentration may be used in the assay. Examples of enzymes from all of the categories listed above (transferases, hydrolases, oxidoreductases and lyases) have been shown in the literature to have a chloride dependency, especially if the origin of these enzymes is from halophilic organisms. The chloride dependency of enzymes of the peptidase type has been extensively described. For example dipeptidylpeptidase I (Cathepsin C), EC 3.4.14.1 [J. Ken McDonald, Bioch. Bioph. Res. Communication, 24 (5) 1966, 771f] or dipeptidylpeptidase III, EC. 3.4.14.3 [J. Ken McDonald, Journal of Biol. Chem. 241 (7) 1966, 1494f], both catalysing the hydrolysis of oligopeptide derivatives from the amino terminal end. Another example is the angiotensin converting enzyme EC 3.4.15.1 which is a dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase that catalyses the hydrolytic release of dipeptides from the carboxyl terminus of a broad range of oligopeptides (P. Bunning et al., Bioch. 26, 1987, 3374f; R. Shapiro et al., Bioch. 22, 1983, 3850f). Instead of Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide different other dipeptide or oligopeptide substrates may be used. Preferred peptide substrates can be described by the general formula R - P - X whereby for the dipeptidyl peptidase enzymes R = H and P represents a peptide chain of at least 2 residues. X represents a chromogenic or fluorogenic group which is liberated by the action of the enzyme to yield a detectable change in colour or fluorescence. X can be a nitrophenyl-, naphtyl- or thiobenzylester group as well as a nitroaniline, naphthylamine or methylcoumarin group either with or without further substituents on the aromatic ring. In the case of dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase enzymes X represents the amino terminal end of the peptide chain and R is a chromogenic or fluorogenic group which is liberated by the action of the enzyme. R can be a N-2-furanacryloyl or benzoyl group either with or without further substituents (see example A). As a further example of the enzymatic determination of chloride ion (example B), plasma is incubated with a buffered mixture containing 4,6-0-benzylidine-a-4nitrophenyl-a-D-maltoheptaoxide (4,6-ethylidene-G 7 PNP) (5 mmol/l), n-amylase (0.60 U/ml) and a-glucosidase (= 30 U/ml). The formation of p-nitrophenol is entirely dependent on the presence of chloride anions, once again using either predilution, small sample volumes or selective binding agents to adjust chloride ion concentration to the optimal range of the enzyme. The test principle is summarised below, and the rate of the reaction is determined by the measurement of the increase in absorption at 405 nm. The concentration ranges of compounds used for such a determination are: Hepes or alternative chloride 0.01 - 0.05 mol/l Free buffer pH 6.5 - 7.5 α-Amylase 60 - 6,000 U/l α-Glucosidase 3,000 - 300,000 U/l 4,6-Ethylidene-G 7 PNP 0.5 - 10 mmol/l Assay variations discussed above for Cathepsin C (example A) also apply to example B. Example A Measurement of chloride ion concentration using Cathepsin C In this embodiment a small sample of blood is centrifuged to obtain plasma (5 µl). For the measurement of chloride ion the incubation mixture contains 0.05 mol/l citrate buffer pH 5.0, 10 mmol/l cysteamine and 4 mmol/l gly-arg-p-nitroanilide and 0.01 U/ml cathepsin C. The latter has been dialyzed against 10 mmol/l sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and 43 % (v/v) of glycerol in order to remove chloride ions. Example B Measurement of chloride ion concentration using α-amylase Inhibition mixture contains for a 5 µl plasma sample: Hepes or alternative chloride free buffer 100 mmol/l pH 7.1 α-Amylase 600 U/l α-Glucosidase 30000 U/l 4,6-Ethylidene-G 7 PNP 5 mmol/l The reaction is monitored at 405 nm (or nearby) wavelength to determine the rate of formation of free 4-nitrophenol and hence the concentration of chloride ions in the original sample.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, ES, GR, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE Process for the determination of chloride ions in fluids, wherein the influence of these ions on the activity of a hydrolase or an enzyme resulting from a halophilic organism being an oxidoreductase, a transferase or a lyase is measured. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is a biological or non-biological fluid. Process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biological fluid is blood, serum, plasma, urine, sweat, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph or intestinal secretions, exudates or transudates and the non-biological fluid is water or an aqueous extract or mixture. Process as claimed in one of the claims 1-3, wherein the hydrolase is a glycosidase or acting on peptide bonds. Process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydrolase is α- or β-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli, carboxypeptidase A from bovine pancreas, collagenase from Clostridium hystolicum, amylase from saliva or pancreas, calpain I, calpain II, phosphoglycolate phosphatase, (dipeptidyl aminopeplidase I (cathepsin C)), dipeptidylpeptidase III (EC 3.4.14.4) or dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.15.1). Process as claimed in one of claims 1 - 5 wherein interfering ions or analytes are bound by anioncryptandes, heterocyclophanes, catapinands, inorganic metal complexes or insoluble salts, metals of the 1st and 2nd side group of the periodic system, Fe(III)-complexes or silver nitrate. Process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the binding agents according to claim 6 are present, which form a complex with indicator ions and from which the indicator ions are displaced stoichiometrically by the chloride ions which are to be determined analytes and wherein the influence of the displaced indicator ions on the activity of the enzyme is assayed, thereby giving an indirect measure of the concentration of the analytes. Process as claimed in claim 7, whereby the chloride ions cause a change in the pH value which displaces the indicator ions from a complex with a pH-sensitive binding agent. Process as claimed in one of claims 6 - 8, wherein the enzyme is a-amylase or dipeptidylaminopeptidase I (cathepsin C), the binding agent is Ag or Hg. Process as claimed in one of the claims 1 - 9, wherein the enzyme substrate is 4,6-0-benzylidene-4-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltoheptaoside when the enzyme is α-amylase. Process as claimed in one of the claims 1 - 10, wherein the enzyme substrate is gly-arg-p-nitroanilide when the enzyme is dipeptidylaminopeptidase I (cathepsin C). Process as claimed in one of the claims 1 - 11, wherein the enzyme substrate is a dipeptide or a oligopeptide of the formula R-P-X wherein P is a peptide chain of at least 2 residues, R is hydrogen, a chromogenic or fluorogenic group which is liberated by the action of the enzyme, N-2-furanacryloyl- or benzoyl-group and X is a nitrophenyl-, naphthyl- or thiobenzylester group or a nitroaniline, naphthylamine methylcoumarin group or carboxyl group, when the enzyme is dipeptidylaminopeptidase I (cathepsin C), dipeptidyl-peptidase III (EC 3.4.14.4) or dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.15.1), wherein X is not a carboxyl group when R is hydrogen. Process as in claims 1 - 12, wherein ions which are competitive inhibitors of the sensitive indicator enzyme are included in the assay. Composition for the determination of chloride ions in fluids comprising a hydrolase or an enzyme from a halophilic organism being an oxidorductase, a transferase or a lyase, the activity of said enzymes is influenced by the chloride ions. Composition for the determination of chloride ions in fluids as claimed in claim 14, comprising an enzyme, the activity of which is influenced by the chloride ions and a binding agent. Composition as claimed in one of the claims 14 or 15 for the determination of chloride ions comprising: HEPES or alternative Chloride-free buffer 0.01 - 0.5 mmol/l pH 6.5 - 7.5 α-Amylase 60 - 6000 U/l α-Glycosidase 3000 - 300000 U/l 4,6-Ethylidene-G 7 PNP 0.5 - 10 mmol/l Composition as claimed in one of the claims or 14 or 15 for the determination of chloride ions comprising: Citrate buffer 0.01 - 0.2 mol/l pH 4 - 7 (preferred 5.0 - 5.5) Cysteamine 1 - 20 mmol/l Gly-arg-p-nitroanilide 1 - 20 mmol/l Cathepsin C 2 - 100 mU/ml Claims for the following Contracting States : DE, FR, GB Process for the determination of chloride ions in fluids, wherein the influence of ions on the activity of a hydrolase or an enzyme resulting from a halophilic organism being an oxidoreductase, a transferase or a lyase is measured, wherein the hydrolases are not including an α-amylase that has been deactivated by a calcium chelate compound. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is a biological or non-biological fluid. Process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biological fluid is blood, serum, plasma, urine, sweat, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph or intestinal secretions, exudates or transudates and the non-biological fluid is water or an aqueous extract or mixture. Process as claimed in one of the claims 1-3, wherein the hydrolase is a glycosidase or acting on peptide bonds. Process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydrolase is α- or β-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli, carboxypeptidase A from bovine pancreas, collagenase from Clostridium hystolicum, amylase from saliva or pancreas, calpain I, calpain II, phosphoglycolate phosphatase, (dipeptidyl aminopeplidase I (cathepsin C)), dipeptidylpeptidase III (EC 3.4.14.4) or dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.15.1). Process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5 wherein interfering ions or analytes are bound by anioncryptandes, heterocyclophanes, catapinands, inorganic metal complexes or insoluble salts, metals of the 1st and 2nd side group of the periodic system, Fe(III)-complexes or silver nitrate. Process as claimed in claims 6, wherein the binding agents according to claim 6 are present, which form a complex with indicator ions and from which the indicator ions are displaced stoichiometrically by the chloride ions which are to be determined analytes and wherein the influence of the displaced indicator ions on the activity of the enzyme is assayed, thereby giving an indirect measure of the concentration of the analytes. Process as claimed in claim 7, whereby the chloride ions cause a change in the pH value which displaces the indicator ions from a complex with a pH-sensitive binding agent. Process as claimed in one of claims 6 - 8, wherein the enzyme is α-amylase or dipeptidylaminopeptidase I (cathepsin C), the binding agent is Ag or Hg. Process as claimed in one of the claims 1 - 9, wherein the enzyme substrate is 4,6-0-benzylidene-4-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltoheptaoside when the enzyme is α-amylase. Process as claimed in one of the claims 1 - 10, wherein the enzyme substrate is gly-arg-p-nitroanilide when the enzyme is dipeptidylaminopeptidase I (cathepsin C). Process as claimed in one of the claims 1 - 11, wherein the enzyme substrate is a dipeptide or a oligopeptide of the formula R-P-X wherein P is a peptide chain of at least 2 residues, R is hydrogen, a chromogenic or fluorogenic group which is liberated by the action of the enzyme, N-2-furanacryloyl- or benzoyl-group and X is a nitrophenyl-, naphthyl- or thiobenzylester group or a nitroaniline, naphthylamine methylcoumarin group or carboxyl group, when the enzyme is dipeptidylaminopeptidase I (cathepsin C), dipeptidyl-peptidase III (EC 3.4.14.4) or dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.15.1), wherein X is not a carboxyl group when R is hydrogen. Process as in claims 1 - 12, wherein ions which are competitive inhibitors of the sensitive indicator enzyme are included in the assay. Composition for the determination of chloride ions in fluids comprising a hydrolase or an enzyme from a halophilic organism being an oxidoreductase, a transferase or a lysase, wherein the hydrolases are not including an α-amylase that has been deactivated by a calcium chelate compound, and the activity of which is influenced by the chloride ions. Composition for the determination of chloride ions in fluids as claimed in claim 14, comprising an enzyme, the activity of which is influenced by the chloride ions and a binding agent. Composition as claimed in one ofthe claims 14 or 15 for the determination of chloride ions comprising: HEPES or alternative Chloride-free buffer 0.01 - 0.5 mmol/l pH 6.5 - 7.5 α-Amylase 60 - 6000 U/l α-Glycosidase 3000 - 300000 U/l 4,6-Ethylidene-G 7 PNP 0.5 - 10 mmol/l Composition as claimed in one of the claims 14 or 15 for the determination of chloride ions comprising: Citrate buffer 0.01 - 0.2 mol/l pH 4 - 7 (preferred 5.0 - 5.5) Cysteamine 1 - 20 mmol/l Gly-arg-p-nitroanilide 1 - 20 mmol/l Cathepsin C 2 - 100 mU/ml

Inventors: BERRY MICHAEL NATHANIEL PROF, HERRMANN UWE DR, KRESSE GEORG-BURKHARDT DR, TOWN MICHAEL-HAROLD DR, BERRY, MICHAEL NATHANIEL, PROF., HERRMANN, UWE, DR., KRESSE, GEORG-BURKHARDT, DR., TOWN, MICHAEL-HAROLD, DR.
Applicants: BOEHRINGER MANNHEIM GMBH, UNIV SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, THE FLINDERS UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G01N33
IPC codes: C12Q1, G01N33