20-Hydroxyecdysone ELISA kit

Enzyme ImmunoAssay (EIA) is a technique to detect and quantify antigens (proteins, hormones…) or antibodies in samples. It relies on the ability of an antibody to bind a specific antigen. Either the antibody or the antigen is labelled with an enzyme whose substrate is a chromogen or a fluorogen converted in a measurable product (color or fluorescence).

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a type of EIA using a solid phase (ex: microtiter plate) coated with an antigen immobilizing the molecule to detect. Over the time, scientists have extended the term ELISA to EIAs using an antibody coating the solid phase. That explains why our EIA kits using coated antibodies are also called ELISA kits.

Ecdysone is a steroid hormone of the ecdysteroids family which is found in animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) and in plants. There exist different polyhydroxylated forms of ecdysone, the major one being the 20-Hydroxyecdysone. 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is known as the insect moulting hormone. Indeed, in interaction with the juvenile hormone (JH), 20E plays a key role in growth, development, metamorphosis and reproduction of the Arthropods (i.e. invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, arachnids, etc.).

Little is known about the function of ecdysteroids in the vertebrates. There are several reports which indicate an effect of the phycoecdysteroid 20E on muscle growth and fat loss in mammals. Some dietary supplements are marketed to enhance physical performances of athletes, and particularly of bodybuilders. Besides, researchers are currently studying the effect of 20E in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. And there are on-going investigations on the possible interest of 20E in the prevention and the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.