Novel bone metabolism-associated hormones: the importance of the pre-analytical phase for understanding their physiological roles.
The endocrine function of bone is now a recognized feature of this tissue. Bone-derived hormones that modulate whole-body homeostasis, are being discovered as for the effects on bone of novel and classic hormones produced by other tissues become known. Often, however, the data regarding these last generation bone-derived or bone-targeting hormones do not give about a clear picture of their physiological roles or concentration ranges. A certain degree of uncertainty could stem from differences in the pre-analytical management of biological samples. The pre-analytical phase comprises a series of decisions and actions (i.e., choice of sample matrix, methods of collection, transportation, treatment and storage) preceding analysis. Errors arising in this phase will inevitably be carried over to the analytical phase where they can reduce the measurement accuracy, ultimately, leading discrepant results. While the pre-analytical phase is all important, in routine laboratory medicine, it is often not given due consideration in research and clinical trials. This is particularly true for novel molecules, such as the hormones regulating the endocrine function of bone. In this review we discuss the importance of the pre-analytical variables affecting the measurement of last generation bone-associated hormones and describe their, often debated and rarely clear physiological roles.
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy. giovanni.lombardi@grupposandonato.it.
Giovanni
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8365-985X
G
Lombardi
Laboratory Medicine Service, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.
Mosè
M
Barbaro
Laboratory Medicine Service, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.
Massimo
M
Locatelli
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy.|Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Banfi
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000032:analysis; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D000071068:Lipocalin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000032:analysis*; D000073623:Pre-Analytical Phase; D052243:Resistin / Q000032:analysis
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D052242:Adiponectin; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D052243:Resistin; C422903:SOST protein, human; D015675:Osteocalcin; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase
Bone metabolism; Hormones; Laboratory medicine; Pre-analytical phase; Sample management