Cancer Diagnosis Program | Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research Branch

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The effect of volume of hydrochloric acid preservation on 24-hour urinary catecholamine test.

Author(s): Li M, Zhang Q, Hu Y, Yang G, Song A

Publication: Clin Chem Lab Med, 2014, Vol. 52, Page e265-8

PubMed ID: 24829197 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   This study investigated the effects of hydrochloric acid volume on the measurement of catecholamines in urine specimens.  Spot urine from 20 healthy individuals was aliquoted (10 mL) and different amounts of 6N HCl (100 µL, 50 µL, 25 µL, and 12.5 µL) were added to each tube. Catecholamine levels were determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection immediately in unacidified specimens and in acidified specimens after 24 h at room temperature.

   Summary of Findings:

   Compared to immediately analyzed specimens, specimens preserved with 12.5 or 25 µL 6N HCl stored for 24 h had significantly lower levels of norepinephrine (-5.02% and -5.24%, respectively) epinephrine (1.06% and 1.16%, respectively) and dopamine (2.7% and 2.3%, respectively). However, the catecholamine levels remained comparable to those in specimens analyzed immediately when 50 µL 6N HCl or more was added to the urine before storage. Consequently, the authors state that at least 0.5% HCl be present during urine collection and storage, thus the HCl volume for 24 h urine collection containers must be normalized to the volume of urine produced by an individual.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Urine

   Preservative Types

   • Other Preservative

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	HPLC

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	None (fresh) Hydrochloric acid
   Storage	Time at room temperature	0 h 24 h
   Biospecimen Preservation	Concentration of fixative	1% 0.5% 0.25% 0.125%

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