Highly sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays for dihydroergotoxine components in plasma.

The development of three analogous radioimmunoassay (RIA) procedures for dihydroergotoxine components is described. The antisera were produced by immunization of rabbits with immunogens obtained by coupling egg albumin to the indole group of each ergot alkaloid derivative. In each radioimmunoassay, antibodies do not cross-react more than 5% with the two other derivatives. The tracers iodinated with iodine 125 were prepared by the chloramine-T method and purified by thin layer chromatography. Both antibody affinity and high specific radioactivity of tracers allow a sensitive assay (detection limit less than 20 pg/ml) in human plasma. After high performance liquid chromatography of extracted plasma, immunoreactive materials other than those corresponding to the elution of the three dihydroergotoxine components were not detected. Two preliminary pharmacokinetic profiles obtained in dog and human for each derivative are shown.