geometrical electrofocusing | Acta Medica Marisiensis

Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins from the Drain Fluid by Geometric Electrofocusing in Conjunction with Local Complications in the Surgical Patient

Cozma D¹, Stoian M², Bacârea Anca³, Ieva Alina⁴, Iacob Oana³, Şchiopu A³, Copotoiu C¹

1 Surgical Clinic 1, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
3 Department of Pathophysiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
4 School of Doctoral Studies, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Introduction: Local postoperative complications are affecting the evolution of surgical patients, which is the main reason why early diagnosis is a priority concern. Our objective was to
Objective: To study the opportunity of protein analysis of the proteins from the drain fluid, as evolution markers of the surgical patient.
Material and method: We have analyzed drain fluid collected after 24 h, 72 h and 5 days after surgery. We have used the following: determination of protein concentration by spectrophotometric analysis at 280 nm and protein separation by geometric electrofocusing (patent no. 109585C1/30.03.1995)
Results: From the analyzed liquids, we obtained variable protein concentrations. In all cases, electrophoretic separation showed the presence of protein fractions similar to those of reference serum.
Conclusion: The analysis protocol allows precise quantitative determination of the proteins from the drain fluid. Geometric electrofocusing, approached for the first time for this specific type of analysis, has proved to be highly effective in terms of quality and affordable due to the low cost.

New Method to Predict Postoperative Complications: Protein Electrophoresis by Geometrical Electrofocusing

Cozma D¹, Dobre A¹, Stoian M², Iacob Oana³, Coroş MF¹, Crăciun C¹

1 County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Gastroenterology Clinic 1, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
3 Nova Vita Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

Purpose: To evaluate drainage liquid protein electrophoresis as a predictive marker for postoperative complications.
Assumption: Postoperative drainage liquid has variable protein concentrations which decrease progressively in the absence of local complications, therefore the postoperative rising of protein fractions could be a signal for a future complication.
Material and method: Drainage liquid samples collected at 24 h, 72 h and 5 days after surgery from patients operated in the 1st Surgery Clinic of the County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Tîrgu Mureș, were analyzed regarding the protein concentration and compared against a sample of human serum provided by the I.C. Cantacuzino institute, București. Quantitative variations in protein concentrations were assessed by 280 nm spectrophotometry and qualitative variations were evaluated by colorimetric comparison of the protein fractions obtained at electrophoresis by geometrical electrofocusing. Results were computer analyzed and graphically transposed.
Results: Electrophoresis identified, in all cases, protein fractions similar with those from the reference serum. All protein fractions tended to decrease in samples obtained from operated patients with normal, uncomplicated postoperative evolution. In case of a complicated evolution (local peritonitis after splenopancreatectomy) protein levels were constantly elevated in all three samples (at 24 h, 72 h and 5 days).
Conclusions: Geometrical electrofocusing of serum protein proved to be qualitatively efficient, low cost and very sensible, detecting protein concentrations over 10 mg/dl; normal serum protein concentration is over 7000 mg/dl. This method could be a predictive factor for a local postoperative complication and also a trigger for protein replacements in cases with large amount of drainage liquid losses.