Hormone stability in human whole blood.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether significant changes in the plasma concentrations of 17 hormones occur when human whole blood is held at 4 or 24 degrees C for up to 24 h before separation of the plasma fraction.


METHODS
Blood samples (EDTA) from healthy human volunteers were held at 4 degrees C or 24 degrees C for 0.5, 6 or 24 h before separation. Plasma concentrations of ACTH, aldosterone, gonadotrophin alpha-subunits, AVP, C-peptide, estradiol, FSH, GH, glucagon, IGF-1, IGFBP3, insulin, leptin, LH, prolactin, PTH and VIP were measured and the results compared to baseline values. Nonlinear regression was used to test for a significant mean rate of change. The time interval for median concentrations to change by 10% was determined.


RESULTS
Significant changes were observed for ACTH (decrease at 18.6 hr, 4 degrees C; 17.5 hr, 24 degrees C); AVP (increase at 2.6 h, 24 degrees C); insulin (decrease at 16.8 hr, 4 degrees C; 16.9 hr, 24 degrees C) and VIP (increase at 18.6 h, 24 degrees C). No changes were detected for the remaining analytes.B CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of some hormones is compromised by a delay in plasma separation from normal human blood. While many hormones appear stable in normal whole blood, we recommend that processing occurs without delay.
Jane Ellis
M
M
Department of Endocrinology, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch, New Zealand. Jane.ellis@cdhb.govt.nz
Livesey
John H
JH
Evans
Margaret J
MJ
D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D012015:Reference Standards; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D006728:Hormones; D004492:Edetic Acid