Cancer Diagnosis Program | Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research Branch

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Effects of transportation and delay in processing on the stability of nutritional and metabolic biomarkers.

Author(s): Murphy JM, Browne RW, Hill L, Bolelli GF, Abagnato C, Berrino F, Freudenheim J, Trevisan M, Muti P

Publication: Nutr Cancer, 2000, Vol. 37, Page 155-60

PubMed ID: 11142087 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of transport of blood specimens for 1 h by car on the concentrations of biomarkers used for epidemiological risk assessment. Serum, plasma and whole blood were stored at -80 degrees C prior to analysis.

   Summary of Findings:

   Transport of blood specimens for an hour, on ice, prior to analysis resulted in small decreases in mean red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts as well as in high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, glucose, creatinine and markers of oxidative stress protection including glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity. In contrast, total cholesterol, triglycerides, free and total testosterone, alkaline phosphatase, billirubin, and markers of oxidative damage including thiobarbituruc acid reactive substances and low density lipoprotein/very low density lipoprotein TBARS all increased slightly with transport. No change in fat soluble vitamins, vitamin C, insulin, liver enzymes or electrolytes was observed in specimens transported on ice. In conclusion, while transport of specimens for an hour by car resulted in only very small changes in several biomarkers used for risk estimates, these changes should be taken into consideration during epidemiological studies.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma
   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Cell count/volume	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Cell count/volume	Coulter counter
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Steroid	Radioimmunoassay
   Steroid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Lipid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Radioimmunoassay
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	LC-MS or LC-MS/MS
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Between site transportation method	Courier Not transported
   Storage	Specimen transport duration/condition	1 h on ice 0 h

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