Addition of 3-deazaadenosine to vacutainer tubes stabilizes whole-blood homocysteine for at least 6 hours at ambient temperature.

Author(s): Bowron A, Stansbie D

Publication: Clin Chem, 2003, Vol. 49, Page 835

PubMed ID: 12709386 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine if 3-dad stabilizes homocysteine in blood. Blood was collected into K2EDTA vacutainers containing saline or 3-DAD and stored on ice and centrifuged within 60 min (saline only), left at room temperature for 6 h (both saline and 3-dad), or left on ice for 6 h (3-dad only).

   Summary of Findings:

   Blood left for 6 h at room temperature without 3-dad had 3.2 umol/L higher levels of plasma homocysteine compared to specimens analyzed within 60 min (p<0.01). In contrast, specimens collected in tubes containing 3-dad showed no change in homocysteine levels over 6 h when kept at room temperature or on ice.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma

   Preservative Types

   • Other Preservative
   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	HPLC

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Storage temperature	On ice Room temperature
   Storage	Storage duration	<60 min 6 h
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	None (fresh) 3-deazaadenosine (3-dad)
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Centrifugation	Centrifugation delays investigated

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