Assays / Protein Reference Units / a1 Antichymotrypsin

Clinical use: a 1 antichymotrypsin (ACT) is an acute phase reactant, the sysnthesis of which is induced by the IL-6 family of cytokines. The incremental changes seen in inflammation are not as great as for CRP but ACT remains elevated for somewhat longer. It has been suggested that it is a better indicator of the mass of inflamed tissue than CRP and the combination of CRP and ACT has been reported as the best screen for inflammatory bowel disease. Like CRP there are no described genetic deficiences.

Sample requirement: 2 mL serum

Reference range: Adults 0.3-0.6 g/L.

No age or sex variation in reference ranges are recorded.

Centres offering this assay: St.George’s, Sheffield.

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