title: Stability of sirolimus (rapamycin) in whole blood.
abstract: The effects of storage time (0-8 days), temperature (4 degrees C and 30 degrees C in dark and light), and freeze-thaw cycles on the stability of sirolimus in blood were examined. Sirolimus quantification was undertaken using HPLC-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry. Whole blood samples supplemented with sirolimus (5.0, 15.0, and 30.0 microg/L) and pooled renal and heart transplant samples were found to be stable during the 8 days under all conditions (<10% decrease in concentration). No significant difference was observed in sirolimus concentration between freshly collected patient samples and sirolimus-supplemented samples (5.0, 15.0, and 30.0 microg/L) after three freeze-thaw cycles (p > 0.198). In conclusion, blood samples can be transported with or without cooling for up to 8 days without sirolimus results being compromised. The reanalysis of sirolimus samples, which may entail freeze-thaw cycles, can be undertaken if the number of cycles is three or less.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salm
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tresillian
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Pillans
mesh_terms: D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000097:blood*; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020123:Sirolimus