Storage of plasma samples at -20°C or -80°C did not prevent degradation of high BNP values, which decreased by 2% per month over 1 year, whereas low BNP values remained stable.
Observational (n=20)
Does storage at -20°C or -80°C prevent BNP degradation in plasma samples over 1 year?
Storage of plasma samples at -20°C or -80°C does not prevent degradation of high BNP values over time, which is relevant for biobanking and retrospective biomarker studies.
Effect estimate: 1% decrease per month
BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a biomarker used in the investigation of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to analyze the degradation of BNP in plasma samples kept at -20 degrees C or at -80 degrees C after 3 months or 1 year of storage. METHODS: Using a Biosite assay-Triage BNP test, we evaluated 20 subjects with plasma BNP concentrations ranging from normal to high. Plasma aliquots were separated in five eppendorfs, one for immediate measurement after centrifugation, two for storage at -20 degrees C and two at -80 degrees C. We measured BNP after 3 months and 1 year. The significance level was set at p<0.05 (one-tailed test). RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of 1% per month in BNP concentration. However, there was a significant interaction between time and group (high vs. low BNP). Low BNP values did not change over time, while high BNP decreased by 2% per month. The decrease over time did not depend on the storage temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The storage of the samples at -20 degrees C or at -80 degrees C did not prevent BNP degradation, especially for high BNP values. For low BNP values, we did not observe a significant decay at either 3 months or 1 year. These results are valid for the Biosite assay-Triage BNP test.
Pereira et al. (Tue,) reported a observational. Storage at -20°C or -80°C vs. Immediate measurement was evaluated on Degradation of BNP in plasma samples (1% decrease per month). Storage of plasma samples at -20°C or -80°C did not prevent degradation of high BNP values, which decreased by 2% per month over 1 year, whereas low BNP values remained stable.