Stability study of 81 analytes in human whole blood, in serum and in plasma.
Author(s): Oddoze C, Lombard E, Portugal H
Publication: Clin Biochem, 2012, Vol. 45, Page 464-9
PubMed ID: 22285385 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of collection tube type and storing uncentrifuged whole blood, plasma or serum at 4 or 25 degrees C on the levels of 81 clinical chemistry and hematological analytes in serum and plasma.
Conclusion of Paper
Generally, analytes were more stable in uncentrifuged blood, plasma or serum stored in plain glass tubes than in lithium heparin tubes or SST. Furthermore, overall, analytes were more stable when whole blood, serum or plasma was stored at 4 degrees C than 25 degrees C. The analytes demonstrating exceptions to these trends were potassium, which increased more rapidly with storage of serum or whole blood in glass tubes at 25 degrees C than at 4 degrees C, and c-telopeptide, osteolcalcin, insulin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH), which were more stable in uncentrifuged blood or plasma stored in K3EDTA tubes than in plain glass tubes. 20 of the 81 analytes examined were affected by storage of uncentrifuged whole blood, plasma or serum, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, prolactin, folate, insulin, c-peptide, PTH, osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), potassium, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), magnesium, bicarbonate, glucose, inorganic phosphorous, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH).
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of collection tube type and storing uncentrifuged whole blood, plasma or serum at 4 or 25 degrees C on levels of 81 clinical chemistry and hematological analytes in serum and plasma from healthy volunteers. The effects of storing whole blood prior to centrifugation in SST tubes were not investigated. Lithium heparin was used for biochemical analytes, sodium fluoride was used for measurement of glucose and lactate, K3EDTA was used for hormonal and hematological analysis, and citrate, theophylline, adenosine, and dipyridamole cocktail (CTAD) tubes were used for coagulation analysis.
Summary of Findings:
Generally, analytes were more stable in uncentrifuged blood, plasma or serum stored in plain glass tubes than lithium heparin tubes or SST. Furthermore, overall, analytes were more stable when whole blood, serum or plasma was stored at 4 degrees C than 25 degrees C. The analytes demonstrating exceptions to these trends were potassium, which increased more rapidly with storage of serum or whole blood in glass tubes at 25 degrees C than at 4 degrees C, and c-telopeptide, osteolcalcin, insulin, and PTH, which were more stable in uncentrifuged blood or plasma stored in K3EDTA tubes than in plain glass tubes. 20 of the 81 analytes examined were affected by storage of uncentrifuged whole blood, plasma or serum, including FSH, estradiol, prolactin, folate, insulin, c-peptide, PTH, osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, ACTH, potassium, lactate, LDH, magnesium, bicarbonate, glucose, inorganic phosphorous, MCV, APTT, and MCH. The direction and degree of analyte changes due to storage were tube type, storage temperature, and biospecimen type (whole blood, serum, plasma) specific.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Carbohydrate Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Electrolyte/Metal Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Glycoprotein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Lipid Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Lipoprotein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Peptide Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Small molecule Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Steroid Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Glycoprotein Hematology/ auto analyzer Cell count/volume Hematology/ auto analyzer Protein Hematology/ auto analyzer Morphology Hematology/ auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Storage duration 0 h
2 h
4 h
6 h
24 h
72 h
Storage Storage temperature 4 degrees C
25 degrees C
Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Plain glass tube
SST
Plasma tube
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Plasma
Serum
Whole blood
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Centrifugation Centrifugation delays investigated