ABSTRACT
The useful TDxFLx calibration data was obtained for the interpretation of the interactions of the abused drugs to sheep antiserum protein. The antibody of TDxFLx calibrators was prepared from sheep antiserum. Furthermore these data can be used to interpret the abused drug-protein binding phenomena in human body and the TDxFLx screening results of the abused drugs in urine samples. TDxFLx system uses fluorescence polarization immunoassay technique that is a competitive binding immunoassay methodology to allow tracer-labeled antigen (*Drug) and patient antigen (Drug) to compete for the same binding sites on the antibody molecules of sheep antiserum. To obtain the binding parameters, binding constant (K) and number of independent binding site (n), generally, Scatchard equation is used. This Scatchard equation is expressed in the concentration terms of free drug, bound drug, and protein (antibody). The binding parameters can not be obtained by applying the TDxFLx calibration data to the Scatchard equation directly because the TDxFLx calibration data are composed of the fluorescence polarization and the total drug concentrations. To obtain the binding parameters from the TDxFLx calibration data the new useful equation which was expressed in the total concentrations of drug and fluorescence polarization should be derived. Derivation of new equation was based on the Scatchard equation. The TDxFLx calibration data was curve fitted to the derived equation using KaleidaGraph program and Macintosh computer. The binding constant (K) and the number (n(P(t))) of binding site of 11-nor-delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (COOH.THC) on the antibody were 1.14 x 10(8)l/mole and 4.04 x 10(-7)M, respectively. The binding constant and the number (n(P(t))) of binding site of amphetamine were 5.15 x 10(5)l/mole and 2.05 x 10(6)M, respectively. In case of COOH.THC the fluorescence polarization decreased linearly with the concentration. However, in case of amphetamine or the other three abused drugs the fluorescence polarizations decreased exponentially with their concentrations.
