Maintaining glucose integrity ex-vivo: Impact of pre-analytical specimen handling.
Author(s): Islam MN, Lyons C, Griffin TP, Hamon S, Dunne F, O'Shea PM
Publication: Ann Clin Biochem, 2023, Vol. , Page 45632231199374
PubMed ID: 37626439 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
This paper compared the stability of glucose in blood stored at room temperature and 4°C for 8.5 days in BD Vacutainer FX and Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix collection tubes
Conclusion of Paper
The median concentration of blood glucose levels was 5.73 mmol/L (range: 5.39-10.37 mmol/L) in samples collected in the Vacutainer FX tube that was analyzed within 30 min (baseline). Glucose levels were significantly lower than baseline at all timepoints (2.5 h to 8.5 days) when blood was stored in Vacutainer FX tubes regardless of temperature and did not appear to decrease further with longer storage durations. Glucose levels were comparable between blood stored in Vacutainer FX tubes at room temperature and those stored at 4°C for each storage timepoint evaluated. When blood was stored in Vacuette FC-Mix tubes, glucose levels were comparable to baseline specimens at all timepoints when blood was stored at 4°C and were generally lower than baseline when blood was stored at room temperature, with significant differences observed after for 3, 5, and 8.5 days at room temperature. The hemolysis index was higher in blood collected and stored in Vacutainer FX tubes compared to Vacuette FC-Mix tubes. The hemolysis index increased progressively with storage duration when blood was collected and stored in Vacutainer FX tubes at room temperature. However, hemolysis only reached the rejection limit (>1000 SI units) in specimens from one patient that were stored for 5.5, 6, 6.5 and 8 days at room temperature.
Studies
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Study Purpose
This study compared the stability of glucose in blood stored at room temperature and 4°C for 8.5 days in BD Vacutainer FX and Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix collection tubes. Blood was collected from 8 volunteers (six females and two males) into 26 BD Vacutainer FX and 25 Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix tubes. Glucose levels were analyzed in blood specimens within 30 min of collection in Vacutainer FX tubes from each volunteer and in blood collected in both tube types (BD Vacutainer FX and Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix tubes) after 2.5 h and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.5 days at room temperature and 4°C. At each timepoint, tubes were centrifuged at 3000 g for 10 min and glucose was quantified using the hexokinase assay on a Cobas 8000 analyzer. A minimal difference of 0.26 was defined as a significant change.
Summary of Findings:
The median concentration of glucose was 5.73 mmol/L (range: 5.39-10.37 mmol/L) in blood specimens collected in Vacutainer FX tubes that were analyzed within 30 min of blood draw (baseline). Glucose levels were significantly lower than baseline at all subsequent timepoints (2.5 h to 8.5 days) when blood was stored in Vacutainer FX tubes at either room temperature or 4°C (P<0.05, all) although a progressive decline with longer storage durations was not apparent. Glucose levels at each timepoint were comparable in blood stored in Vacutainer FX tubes at room temperature and 4°C. Glucose levels were comparable to baseline at all timepoints in blood specimens stored in Vacuette FC-Mix tubes at 4°C. In contrast, glucose levels were generally lower than baseline when blood was stored at room temperature in Vacuette FC-Mix tubes, but the difference was only significant when specimens were stored for 3 (P=0.0067), 5 (P=0.0050), or 8.5 days (P=0.0236). The hemolysis index was higher in blood specimens collected in Vacutainer FX tubes than in Vacuette FC-Mix tubes. The hemolysis index also increased progressively with the duration of pre-centrifugation room temperature storage when blood was collected and stored in Vacutainer FX tubes. However, hemolysis only reached the rejection limit of >1000 SI units in specimens collected from one patient that were stored for 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 8 days.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Not specified
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Protein Hematology/ auto analyzer Carbohydrate Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution BD Vacutainer FX
Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix
Storage Storage duration 30 min
2.5 h
1 day
2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
5.5 days
6 days
6.5 days
7 days
7.5 days
8 days
8.5 days
Storage Storage temperature Room temperature
4°C
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Centrifugation Centrifugation delays investigated