Stability of 27 biochemistry analytes in storage at a range of temperatures after centrifugation.

Author(s): Taylor EC, Sethi B

Publication: Br J Biomed Sci, 2011, Vol. 68, Page 147-57

PubMed ID: 21950208 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of storage container, duration and temperature, and freeze-thaw cycling on the levels of 27 biochemical analytes in serum. Specimens were thawed at 37 degrees C for 5 min before analysis or refreezing. For each patient, 6 tubes of blood were collected of which, one specimen was analyzed fresh, another was stored in the SST at 2-10 degrees C, and serum from the other 4 tubes were transferred to new tubes and stored at either -80 or -20 degrees C or room temperature. After experimental storage, all specimens were stored frozen at -80 degrees C until batch analysis.

   Summary of Findings:

   With the exception of uric acid, which was stable in serum stored at room temperature for <2 h, all 26 other analytes were stable in serum stored at room temperature for at least 120 h; however, a spike in cholesterol was observed after 2 h at room temperature, but the levels decreased to within the manufacturers precision limit by 4 h. None of the analytes were affected by storage of serum in a new tube or with an intact gel for 1 week at 2-10 degrees C, but potassium levels were above the precision limits after day 4 in the single serum specimen (of 10) stored in a SST that had evidence of the gel breaking down starting at day 4. Levels of all analytes except LD and ALT were stable in serum stored at -20 degrees C for at least 12 weeks, but LD and ALT levels were only stable in serum stored at -20 degrees C for 1 week and 2 weeks, respectively. ALT, LD, and uric acid were elevated in specimens that were frozen and thawed one or more times compared to specimens that were never frozen, but no other analytes were affected by up to 3 freeze-thaw cycles.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen
   • Other Preservative
   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Electrolyte/Metal	Ion selective electrode
   Steroid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Lipid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Gas	Ion selective electrode

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Storage duration	0 h 2 h 4 h 8 h 24 h 48 h 72 h 96 h 120 h 1 week 2 weeks 4 weeks 8 weeks 12 weeks
   Storage	Storage temperature	-20 degrees C 2-10 degrees C Room temperature -80 degrees C
   Storage	Freeze/thaw cycling	0 cycles 1 cycle 2 cycles 3 cycles
   Storage	Type of storage container	SST New tube
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Frozen None (fresh) Refrigeration

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