Summary
Two quantitative procedures for autoprothrombin C are described. In one of these purified
prothrombin is used as a substrate, and the activity of autoprothrombin C can be measured
even if thrombin is in the preparation. In this procedure a reaction mixture is used
wherein the thrombin titer which develops in 20 minutes is proportional to the autoprothrombin
C in the reaction mixture. A unit is defined as the amount which will generate 70
units of thrombin in the standardized reaction mixture. In the other method thrombin
interferes with the result, because a standard bovine plasma sample is recalcified
and the clotting time is noted. Autoprothrombin C shortens the clotting time, and
the extent of this is a quantitative measure of autoprothrombin C activity.