Differential effect of blood collection tubes on total free fatty acids (FFA) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) concentration: a model for studying interference from tube constituents.
Author(s): Bowen RA, Vu C, Remaley AT, Hortin GL, Csako G
Publication: Clin Chim Acta, 2007, Vol. 378, Page 181-93
PubMed ID: 17234171 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
Conclusion of Paper
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of collection tube type on FFA, TT3, and B-HB in serum and plasma. Serum and plasma specimens were transferred to plain plastic test tubes and stored at -25 degrees C for up to 1 day before analysis.
Summary of Findings:
Compared to average FFA concentrations measured using Vacuette tubes, FFA concentrations were higher using SST or reformulated SST and similar or lower using glass tubes for blood collection. Importantly, serum collected in glass tubes and transferred to the different collection tube types did not show any differences in FFA measurements between tube types. B-HB levels were not significantly different between blood collected in Vacuette tubes, glass tubes, SST, or reformulated SST. Average TT3 concentrations were significantly higher in blood collected in SST and similar or significantly higher in reformulated SST compared to glass or Vacuette tubes. FFA and B-HB concentrations were significantly higher in heparinated plasma than in serum from plain glass tubes, but FAA concentrations were higher in serum from SST and Vacuette tubes than in K2EDTA plasma. No correlations were found between various blood count parameters and tube-dependent FFA concentrations. The authors state that serum angiotensin-1-converting enzyme activity, aldolase activity, protein, lipoprotein, homocysteine, vitamin A, vitamin E, carotene, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and cystatin C were not affected by collection tube type.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Lipid Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Small molecule Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Peptide Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Lipoprotein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Small molecule HPLC Small molecule Colorimetric assay Cell count/volume Hematology/ auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Vacuette
Glass
SST
Reformulated SST
EDTA
Sodium heparin
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Plasma
Serum
Whole blood
Biospecimen Acquisition Anticoagulant Potassium EDTA
Sodium heparin
None
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the exposure of whole blood or serum to collection tube constituents on FFA, TT3, and B-HB. Serum and plasma specimens were transferred to plain plastic test tubes and stored at -25 degrees C for up to 1 day before analysis.
Summary of Findings:
In general, the addition of tetrahydrolipstatin (THL) to heparin tubes, glass tubes, Vacuette tubes, SST, or reformulated SST did not significantly change FFA or B-HB concentrations in plasma or serum compared to concentrations measured without added THL. The exposure of whole blood or pooled serum to increasing concentrations of Silwet L-720 surfactant in glass tubes had no effects on FFA or B-HB concentrations but significantly increased the amount of TT3 measured in whole blood or serum. Cleaning SST, reformulated SST, Vacuette, and glass collection tubes with a gauze sponge to remove any internal tube coatings that were present had no effects on FFA and B-HB measurements when serum was transferred to these tubes compared to unadulterated ones. However, TT3 concentrations were significantly lower in cleaned SST compared to unadulterated SST, but there were no effects observed with the cleaning of other tube types. The authors state that exposure of serum to rubber stoppers and lubricant by inversion of Vacuette tubes, glass tubes, SST, and reformulated SST had no effects on FFA or B-HB concentrations, but TT3 concentrations increased in inverted SST compared to uninverted SST, but no effect of inversion was found in the other three tube types. Exaggerated exposure of blood specimens to separator gels contained in some of the tubes through horizontal rolling of the tubes resulted in significant increases in serum FFA in SST and plasma FFA in PPT as well as increases in serum TT3 in SST and SST II, but not other tube types, compared to the levels measured when tubes were kept upright. The authors state that B-HB levels were unaffected by horizontal rolling of tubes.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Lipid Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution Vacuette
Glass
SST
Reformulated SST
SST II
EDTA
PPT
With internal tube coating
No internal tube coating
With Silwet L-270 surfactant (multiple concentrations evaluated)
No Silwet L-270 surfactant
Biospecimen Preservation Fixative additive/buffer Ethanol
THL
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Biospecimen mixing Inversion of tubes for 30 min
No inversion of tubes
Horizontal roller mixer for 30 min
Upright tubes in rack
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Plasma
Serum
Whole blood