Brain tryptophan rather than pH-value is altered as consequence of artificial postmortem interval and storage conditions.
Author(s): Grünblatt E, Proft F, Apfelbacher M, Deckert J, Roggendorf W, Riederer P, Monoranu CM
Publication: Neurochem Int, 2010, Vol. 57, Page 819-22
PubMed ID: 20817063 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of storage temperature and conditions on pH and tryptophan levels in brain specimens.
Conclusion of Paper
Tryptophan levels were significantly and positively correlated with storage duration at room temperature in open tubes or at 37˚C in open or closed tubes. In contrast, there was no effect of up to 72 h of storage at 4˚C or room temperature on brain pH, regardless of storage condition.
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of storage temperature and conditions on pH and tryptophan levels in brain specimens. Brains were obtained from a 54 year old female who died from sepsis, an 83 year old male who died from global heart insufficiency, and a 78 year old man who died from cardiogenic shock after postmortem intervals (PMI) of 53, 29 and 51 h, respectively. Each brain specimen was divided into 48 samples for storage in closed or open tubes at room temperature, 4°C or 37°C for 0, 3, 6, 12 or 16, 20 or 25, 30, 48 and 72 h. At each timepoint pH was determined and the specimen was frozen at -80˚C until tryptophan determination using by HPLC.
Summary of Findings:
Tryptophan levels were significantly and positively correlated with storage duration at room temperature in open tubes (ρ=0.713, p=0.0014) or at 37˚C in open (ρ=0.566, p= 0.0113) or closed (ρ=0.766, p=0.0006) tubes. However, there was no effect of up to 72 h of storage on brain pH, regardless of storage temperature or condition.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Autopsy
- Other diagnoses
- Cardiovascular Disease
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule pH Small molecule HPLC Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Storage temperature 4˚C
Room temperature
37˚C
Storage Storage conditions Open tube
Closed tube
Storage Storage duration 0 h
3 h
6 h
12/16 h
20/25 h
30 h
48 h
72 h