Journal Article

Determination of Biotin Interference in Pediatric Obesity Related ELISA Research Kits Biotin Interference in Manual ELISA Kits

Kürkçü Kahraman, Ezgi, Donma, Orkide, Donma, Mustafa Metin, Yılmaz, Ahsen, Güzel, Savaş

2025

Overview

ABSTRACT Background Although high‐dose biotin interference in automated immunoassays is now considered, there are very few studies showing biotin interference in manually operated research kits, especially with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The aims of our study were to determine the effects of biotin interference on various parameters, including leptin, leptin receptor (LEPR), ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, deacylated ghrelin, ghrelin receptor (GHSR), kisspeptin (KISS1), kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R), preptin, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), nod‐like receptor pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), which contribute to energy homeostasis in healthy and obese children. Methods Serum pools were prepared from healthy and obese individuals, and biotin concentrations in samples containing different amounts of biotin were measured via sandwich and competitive ELISA methods. In addition, possible biotin interactions were investigated by determining the concentrations of all the study parameters in serum pools containing different amounts of biotin. Results We found that the biotin‐competitive, ghrelin‐competitive, KISS1‐competitive, GHSR, leptin and LEPR ELISA kits were less affected by biotin interference and the results of these assay kits were more reliable. Unexpectedly, high levels were also measured in the biotin sandwich ELISA kit, indicating that biotin interference can also occur in manually operated assay kits. Conclusions Biotin exhibited an interference effect even in well‐functioning, qualified kits, and this negative effect was less common in competitive kits. Biotin interference was closely associated with the quality of the research kit, the parameters studied, and the presence of high biotin concentrations in the blood. In this study, we aimed for the first time to demonstrate biotin interference in ELISA research kits used in the analysis of pediatric obesity parameters other than routine testing. Our study revealed that biotin interaction may occur in manual ELISA kits and may cause erroneous test results. It will raise awareness among health professionals, researchers, and medical companies on this issue. By encouraging manufacturers developing medical products to take measures to reduce the effect of biotin interaction, it will prevent erroneous results in scientific studies and contribute to more precise measurements.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subject: Bioassays / Biotin / Biotin - blood / Biotin - chemistry / biotin interference / Body fat / Child / Cloning / Competition / Cytokines / Disease / Drug dosages / ELISA / Energy balance / Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay / Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - instrumentation / Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - methods / Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - standards / Enzymes / Fatty acids / Female / Ghrelin / Ghrelin - blood / Homeostasis / Humans / Immunoassay / Kiss1 protein / Laboratories / Leptin - blood / Male / Metabolism / Nutrition research / Obesity / pediatric obesity / Pediatric Obesity - blood / Pediatrics / Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors / Pyrin protein / Reagent Kits, Diagnostic - standards