Long-term stability of glucose: glycolysis inhibitor vs. gel barrier tubes.
Author(s): Winter T, Hannemann A, Suchsland J, Nauck M, Petersmann A
Publication: Clin Chem Lab Med, 2018, Vol. 56, Page 1251-1258
PubMed ID: 29525788 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
This paper investigated the effects of blood collection tube type and storage temperature on glucose levels in blood specimens.
Conclusion of Paper
Significantly higher glucose levels were found in the three tubes types containing NaF, citrate buffer, and Na2-EDTA (granulate) (both of the Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia Tubes and Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix tubes) than the BD FX and BD Serum tubes when analyzed immediately. While initial levels were comparable among the three tubes with the same additive during the course of storage, significant differences occurred at both temperatures and between each group. Small changes in glucose levels that did not exceed the minimal difference were found during storage, regardless of tube type, unless stored in BD FX tubes for two or more days at room temperature or four days at 4˚C or in Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia tubes from Japan for 24 h or more at room temperature. Hemolysis increased during storage in all tubes except the serum tubes but was highest when stored in the BD FX tube.
Studies
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Study Purpose
This study investigated the effects of blood collection tube type and storage temperature on glucose levels in blood specimens. Non-fasting venous blood from 61 healthy volunteers was immediately divided among the five tube types in a randomized order. The tubes included three types containing NaF, citrate buffer, and Na2-EDTA (granulate): expired Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia Tubes (distributed in Europe), expired Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia Tubes (distributed in Japan), and Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix, as well as BD Vacutainer FX-Mixture tubes containing NaF-K-oxalate (powder) and BD Vacutainer SST II Advance which contain a silica clot activator polymer gel. Specimens were immediately mixed by inversion and centrifuged at 4400 x g for 10 min within one hour of collection. Glucose levels and hemolysis were then measured immediately using a Dimension Vista 1500 System. After analysis, the tubes were mixed again (except SST II) to resuspend and stored at room temperature (30 specimens) or 4˚C (31 specimens). Specimens were recentrifuged and analyzed after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Significance was determined as P<0.05 and differences larger than the computationally determined minimal difference of 0.26 mmol/L.
Summary of Findings:
Significantly higher glucose levels were found in the three tubes types containing NaF, citrate buffer, and Na2-EDTA (granulate) (both of the Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia Tubes and the Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix tubes) than the BD FX or BD Serum tubes (P<0.001) when analyzed immediately. While initial levels were comparable among the three tubes with the same additive during the course of storage, significant differences occurred at both temperatures and between each group. Significant changes in glucose level occurred during storage at both temperatures, regardless of tube type; however, these changes were small and did not exceed the minimal difference unless stored in BD FX tubes for two or more days at room temperature or four days at 4˚C or in Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia tubes from Japan for 24 h or more at room temperature. Changes in glucose concentrations were less than the minimal differences when specimens were stored in Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia tubes from Europe, Greiner Vacuette FC-Mix tubes, or BD serum tubes for up to four days at either temperature. Hemolysis increased during storage in all tubes except the serum tubes but was highest when stored in the BD FX tube followed by the Terumo tubes from Japan.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Carbohydrate Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia tubes distributed in Japan
Terumo Venosafe Glycaemia tubes distributed in Europe
Greiner FC-Mix
BD FX-Mixture
BD serum
Storage Storage duration 0 h
24 h
48 h
72 h
96 h
Storage Storage temperature Room temperature
4˚C
Biospecimen Acquisition Anticoagulant Multiple manufacturers evaluated
Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate
Citrate/sodium fluoride EDTA
None