# Potentiator

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{{redirect|potentiation|the concept in neuroscience|long-term potentiation}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2009}}
In clinical terms, a '''potentiator''' is a [reagent](/source/reagent) that enhances sensitization of an [antigen](/source/antigen). Potentiators are used in the clinical laboratory for performing [blood bank](/source/blood_bank)ing procedures that require enhancement of [agglutination](/source/Agglutination_(biology)) to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens in a patient's blood sample. Examples of potentiators include [albumin](/source/serum_albumin), LISS (low ionic-strength saline) and PEG ([polyethylene glycol](/source/polyethylene_glycol)).<ref>*{{cite book | author=Harmening, Denise M. | title=Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices | publisher=F. A. Davis Company | year=2005 | isbn=0-8036-1248-6}}</ref> Potentiators are also known as enhancement reagents.
			
Albumin acts as a potentiator by reducing the [zeta potential](/source/zeta_potential) around the suspended red blood cells, thus dispersing the repulsive negative charges and enhancing agglutination. Low [ionic strength](/source/ionic_strength) saline (LISS) is a potentiator that acts by not only reducing the [zeta potential](/source/zeta_potential), but also by increasing the amount of antibody taken up by the [red blood cell](/source/red_blood_cell) during sensitization. LISS is a solution of [glycine](/source/glycine) and albumin. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a LISS solution removes water from the system and thus concentrates the antibodies present. PEG can cause non-specific aggregation of cells, thus eliminating the necessity for centrifugation after {{convert|37|°C|1}} incubation. PEG is not appropriate for use in samples from patients with increased plasma [protein](/source/protein), such as patients with [multiple myeloma](/source/multiple_myeloma). False-positive results may occur more frequently with the use of polyethylene glycol due to its strong agglutination capabilities.

==Pharmacology==
In clinical pharmacology, a potentiator is a drug, herb, or chemical that intensifies the effects of a given drug. For example, [hydroxyzine](/source/hydroxyzine) or [dextromethorphan](/source/dextromethorphan) is used to get more pain relief and [anxiolysis](/source/anxiolysis) out of an equal dose of an opioid medication.  The potentiation can take place at any part of the liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of the drug.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Reagents for organic chemistry
Category:Chemical reactions

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