Choline in Whole Blood and Plasma: Sample Preparation and Stability

摘要: Background: Choline is critical for a variety of biological functions and has been investigated as biomarker various pathological conditions including acute coronary syndrome. Methods: A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was used to quantify choline in whole blood plasma freshly collected samples prepared with ultrafiltration or protein precipitation. We the effects preanalytical variables types anticoagulants storage temperature time. Results: observed no significant differences whole-blood concentration EDTA-anticoagulated vs heparin-anticoagulated samples: mean (SD) difference 0.9% (3.2%), P = 0.80. For plasma, concentrations heparin 5 12 volunteers were >10% higher than EDTA, 0.01. One freeze-thaw cycle led increases blood, 19.3% (11.4%), 0.33). stored at ambient temperature, all increased time. EDTA first 60 min then stabilized. continued increase linearly time >4 h, which by approximately 50%. Conclusions: Sample collection, storage, sample preparation procedures are clinical measurements plasma.