Improved automated kinetic determination of uric acid in serum by use of uricase/catalase/aldehyde dehydrogenase.

The enzymatic determination of serum uric acid by use of uricase, catalase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase according to Haeckel [J. Clin. Chem. Clin Biochem. 14, 101 (1976)] showed interferences from ethanol-converting enzymes, which are present in some patients' sera. We have identified these enzymes as alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes. Among other substances, a mixture of pyrazole and oxalate can be used to eliminate these interferences. This inhibitor system gives good results when used in the automated kinetic uric acid determination, as is shown by a comparison with the manual assay for uric acid according to Kageyama [Clin. Chim. Acta 31, 421 (1971)].