Stability of total cholesterol and triglyceride in whole blood with regard to storage temperature and duration

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in order to determine the effect of storage conditions [temperature and duration] on the level of plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride. Venous blood from 23 volunteers with over night fast was collected in commercial heparin tubes. Aliquots of 0.5 ml were transferred to 1.5 ml polypropylene tubes, plasma from 1 aliquot was immediately separated and analyzed [zero time value] and remaining plasma preserved at 4°C and reanalyzed daily for 7 days. The remaining aliquots containing whole blood were kept at room temperature. The results showed that the specimen at 4°C did not show statistically significant difference in total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations when compared to zero time value. But the specimen preserved as whole blood at room temperature showed a continuous rise in plasma total cholesterol concentration and fall in plasma triglyceride concentration over 72 hours. This concludes that proper storage conditions are necessary for correct reliable results in blood chemistry