Effects of some pre-analytical conditions on the measurement of homocysteine and cysteine in plasma.

Author(s): Zighetti ML, Chantarangkul V, Lombardi R, Lecchi A, Cattaneo M

Publication: Clin Chem Lab Med, 2004, Vol. 42, Page 204-7

PubMed ID: 15061362 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 anticoagulant, delayed centrifugation and storage of plasma at room temperature on tCys and tHcy levels in plasma from healthy individuals. The anticoagulant study included 11 subjects, while the delayed centrifugation and storage of plasma studies included 5 subjects each. All plasma was stored at -20 degrees C until analysis.

   Summary of Findings:

   tCys and tHcy levels were higher in plasma from K3EDTA tubes than in plasma from ACD tubes (p<0.05), but the difference was not significant when the K3EDTA concentration was decreased to be the same as the ACD concentration. Storage of blood at room temperature in K3EDTA tubes, prior to centrifugation, resulted in progressive increases in tHcy levels (p<0.05) and slight decreases in tCys levels (p<0.05), but when whole blood was stored at room temperature in ACD tubes prior to centrifugation, there was only a slight increase in tHcy levels (p<0.05) and no change in tCys levels. Delayed centrifugation had no effects on tHcy or tCys levels when tubes were stored on ice. tCys and tHcy levels were stable in ACD-plasma stored at room temperature for 72 h, but tCys levels decreased by 6% in K3EDTA-plasma stored at room temperature for the same duration (p<0.05).

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	HPLC

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Time at room temperature	15 min 4 h 6 h 24 h 48 h 72 h
   Storage	Storage duration	15 min 2 h 4 h 6 h
   Storage	Storage temperature	On ice Room temperature
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Anticoagulant	Acid-citrate-dextrose Potassium EDTA
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Centrifugation	Centrifugation delays investigated

   View more