Quantitative determination of factor-VIII protein by two-stage gel electrophoresis.

A new method for the quantification of factor-VIII protein in plasma is described which utilizes only commercially available equipment and material. The procedure involves separation of factor VII from other plasma proteins by a two-stage sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoretic technique and quantification of the protein by scanning densitometry. The plasma from normal individuals, haemophiliacs, obligate carriers of haemophilia and patients with von Willebrand's disease have been examined by this technique. In general, the data support the earlier findings obtained by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis. In addition, some abnormalities not detected by immunoelectrophoresis are observed by the gel electrophoresis technique.