A method for the assay of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in dog serum and its application to the plasma binding of propranolol and oxprenolol in animals receiving rifampicin.

A method for determination of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) in dog serum was developed. Dog alpha 1-AGP was purified to homogeneity from pooled serum by DEAE and CM ion exchange chromatography. A monospecific antibody was obtained by injecting the antigen in rabbits. The antibody was used in a turbidimetric method that allowed detection at 10 micrograms/ml in serum. A linear correlation was found between the optical density and alpha 1-AGP concentration up to 20 micrograms alpha 1-AGP in the sample. The method has been used to demonstrate the effect of treatment with rifampicin on the alpha 1-AGP serum concentrations and its relation to the protein binding of oxprenolol and propranolol.