Fibrinogen is a soluble glycoprotein that circulates in the blood and is converted to insoluble fibrin by thrombin in the final step of the coagulation cascade. Hepatic expression of fibrinogen increases two to four hundred fold during the acute phase response to infection or inflammation. Elevated fibrinogen levels are correlated with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The sensitive quantitative measurement of rat fibrinogen in plasma and serum samples is easily performed with this 96 well strip format ELISA kit. Fibrinogen is present in normal rat plasma at a concentration of 3.1 mg/ml and varies by age and diet. The assay measures total rat fibrinogen in the 3.125-800 ng/ml range. Samples giving rat fibrinogen levels above 800 ng/ml should be diluted in 1X diluent before use. A 1:10,000 to 1:50,000 dilution for plasma or serum is suggested for best results. Rat fibrinogen will bind to the capture antibody coated on the microtiter plate. After appropriate washing steps, biotin labeled anti-rat fibrinogen primary antibody binds to the captured protein. Excess primary antibody is washed away and bound antibody is reacted with peroxidase conjugated avidin. Following an additional washing step, TMB substrate is used for color development at 450nm. Color development is proportional to the concentration of fibrinogen in the samples. A standard calibration curve is prepared using dilutions of purified fibrinogen and is measured along with the test samples. All reagents and standards are provided in these ELISA kits.

Suggested additional reagents: 10X Wash Buffer, TMB Substrate, Rat Fibrinogen Antigen Capture Plate, Avidin-HRP