TAC of Humans and Non-human Species
Using the ABEL®-TAC assay with Pholasin® and peroxynitrite, KSL has measured the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of serum and plasma in hundreds of people and many other non-human species as an indicator of health and nutritional status.
ABEL®-TAC scores can be determined from a very small volume of sample (5 µL) which can be collected from a mere finger prick of blood. You can send us samples by post to our laboratory in Plymouth for analysis or the assay can be performed in your own laboratory with kits purchased from KSL. Samples of serum and plasma can even be frozen at -80°C for analysis at a later date, as the activity of antioxidants in the sample remains stable at this temperature. For advice and information about how to collect samples for TAC analysis just give us a call or fill out our contact form.
ABEL®-TAC scores are derived from a set of vitamin E analogue (VEA) standards and are expressed as VEA equivalent units (µmol L-1). As we have tested hundreds of samples we have known distributions for human TAC scores. This allows us to classify TAC scores as normal, high or low. A low score may indicate a poor diet. A normal to high score can indicate a healthy diet, whereas very high scores may be due to oxidative stress.
Over the years we have also collected a vast amount of data on non-human species, with ‘normal’ TAC scores varying significantly between species. Horses, for example, have much lower TAC values than humans where as some fish species have slightly higher scores. Other species tested for TAC by KSL include pigs, birds, badgers, mice and dogs!
Our ABEL®-TAC assay has excellent inter- and intra-assay reproducibility (with covariance values < 3%) meaning our scores are extremely reliable and robust. This has advantages for monitoring changes in scores of individuals over time (days, weeks, months, years) that may be due to changes in diet, exercise, lifestyle or clinical interventions. It also means that you can have more confidence when comparing scores from group to group or person to person.
For more information on the ABEL-TAC assay go to our downloads section.
Fish
Recently KSL has been in collaboration with researchers at the Fish Nutrition and Aquaculture Research Unit at the University of Plymouth, UK, headed by Professor Simon Davies.
The measurement of the respiratory burst and degranulation of white blood cells using ABEL® Cell Activation kits enabled researchers to study the effects of dietary modulation and husbandry related practices on the immune system of fish, whereas the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum/plasma was evaluated by using the ABEL-TAC assay with peroxynitrite.
The research was carried out speices of great commerical and ornamental value such on rainbow trout (Onchoryncus mykiss) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). As the tests only required very small volume of whole blood or plasma (5 µL) it meant that health parameters could be assessed without having to sacrifice any fish, which is of great benefit to researchers with ethical considerations.
At KSL we have also used our ABEL® Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) quantification kit to measure the activity of superoxide dismutase in goldfish skin cells cultured in vitro.
