Blood samples Kari Kuulasmaa Luxembourg 9-11 April 2008

Uses of blood samples Lipid measurements Total cholesterol HDL-cholesterol Glucose Fatty acids and lipoproteins Biomarkers E.g. Refl. nutrition (vitamins, flavonoids..) Antibodies Markers of infection and inflammation DNA

Blood collection Fasting Not required for cholesterols 8 h (overnight) for glucose By certified phlebotomist Subject in sitting position Minimal use of tourniquet

Cholesterol Serum preferred Clotting in room temperature for min Centrifuging within an hour Analysis preferably on the day of collection or on refrigerated samples within 3 days or frozen samples (max 6 months at - 20, longer at -70)

Glucose Tubes with citrate and fluoride Centrifuge within an hour Analysis preferably on the day of collection or on refrigerated samples within 3 days or frozen samples (max 6 months at - 20, longer at -70)

Change (%) of glucose concentration in whole blood samples Uchida et al. Clinica Chimica Acta 1988;172:

Change (%) of glucose concentration in whole blood samples Citrate-fluoride mix NaF/K-oxsalate NaF/EDTA Li-hep Time (h) Väisänen et al. Kliin Lab 2008; 3-4

Laboratory procedures Use accredited laboratory Good direct enzymatic methods are available CDC has a certification program for clinical diagnostic products for cholesterols External quality control needs to be set up