Stability of plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid composition during cold storage.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present experiment was to determine if the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte lipids remains stable when stored at -80 degrees C. This was accomplished by repeating the fatty acid analysis of plasma and erythrocyte samples that had been analysed originally as part of two separate experiments. METHODS: The original plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid analysis was completed on average within 9 and 18 months, respectively, of collecting the blood samples; the repeat analysis was done on average 2.5 and 2 years, respectively, after the initial work. All samples were stored at -80 degrees C. Identical procedures for gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of fatty acids were used for the original and repeat analysis. Plasma triglyceride and erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine fatty acids were measured. RESULTS: The fatty acid compositions of plasma triglyceride and erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine were virtually unchanged between the original and repeat analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In combination with the results of other studies that have found fatty acids to be stable for 1 year at -60 degrees C, the present results demonstrate that the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte lipids is stable for nearly 4 years when stored at -80 degrees C.

Authors: Hodson, L; Skeaff, C; Wallace, A; Arribas, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
• Volume: 321
• Issue: 1-2
• Pages: 63-67
• Publication date: 2002-07-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0009-8981(02)00100-6
• EISSN: 1873-3492
• ISSN: 0009-8981
• Language: English
• Keywords: Freezing; Cold Temperature; Specimen Handling; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids; Chromatography, Gas; Lipids; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Plasma; Time Factors