Insulin

Intended Use
The DRG:HYBRiD-XL Insulin is an enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative in vitro diagnostic measurement of insulin in serum and plasma (heparin and EDTA plasma).Only for use with the DRG:HYBRiD-XL Analyzer.Insulin is the principal hormone responsible for the control of glucose metabolism. It is synthesized in the Beta cells of the islets of Langerhans as the precursor, proinsulin, which is processed to form C-peptide and insulin. Both are secreted in equimolar amounts into the portal circulation. The mature insulin molecule comprises two polypeptide chains, the A chain and B chain (21 and 30 amino acids respectively). The two chains are linked by two inter-chain disulphide bridges. There is also an intra-chain disulphide bridge in the A chain.Secretion of insulin is mainly controlled by plasma glucose concentration, and the hormone has a number of important metabolic actions. Its principal function is to control the uptake and utilisation of glucose in peripheral tissues via the glucose transporters (1,2). This and other hypoglycaemic activities, such as the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis are counteracted by the hyperglycaemic hormones including glucagon, epinephrine (adrenaline), growth hormone and cortisol.Insulin concentrations are severely reduced in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and some other conditions such as hypopituitarism (1). Insulin levels are raised in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), obesity, insulinoma and some endocrine dysfunctions such as Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly (1,4).The DRG:HYBRiD-XL Insulin Kit is a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the sandwich principle. The antibody coated wells (ACW) of the reagent cartridges are coated with a monoclonal (mouse) antibody directed towards a unique antigenic site of the insulin molecule. An aliquot of patient sample containing endogenous insulin is incubated in the coated well with enzyme conjugate, which is an anti-insulin antibody conjugated with biotin. After incubation the unbound conjugate is washed off. A streptavidin-HRP conjugate is added to the wells and will bind to the biotinylated antibodies. They are detected by consequent incubation of Enzyme Complex, which is Streptavidin-HRP. After incubation the unbound streptavidin-biotin complex is washed off.The amount of bound peroxidase conjugate is proportional to the concentration of insulin in the sample. Having added the substrate solution, the intensity of color developed is proportional to the concentration of insulin in the patient sample.