Automated immunoturbidimetric assay of serum apolipoprotein A-II using the Cobas-Bio centrifugal analyser: influence of hyperlipoproteinemia

Stability of selected serum hormones and lipids after long-term storage in the Janus Serum Bank

BACKGROUND

The potential value of a biobank depends on the quality of the samples, i.e. how well they reflect the biological or biochemical state of the donors at the time of sampling. Documentation of sample quality has become a particularly important issue for researchers and users of biobank studies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term stability of selected components: cholesterol, high density cholesterol (HDLC), low density cholesterol (LDLC), apolipoprotein A1 (apo-A1), apolipoprotein B (apo B), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxin (FT4).

DESIGN AND METHODS

Samples, stored at -25°C, from 520 men aged 40-49 years at blood sampling distributed in equally sized groups (n=130) according to length of storage, 0, 4, 17 and 29 years, respectively, were used in a cross sectional design. The freshly collected serum samples were used as a reference group to calculate storage related changes.

RESULTS

The differences between fresh samples and samples stored for 29 years were substantial for apo-A1 (+12%), apo-B (+22.3%), HDLC (-69.2%), LDLC (+31.3%), and PRL (-33.5%), while total cholesterol, FSH, LH, TSH and FT4 did not show any significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed large differences in serum level of the selected components. The lipids and apolipoproteins were all changed except for total cholesterol. Most hormones investigated (FSH, LH, TSH and FT4) proved to be stable after 29 years of storage while PRL showed sign of degradation. The observed differences are probably due to long-term storage effects and/or external factors (i.e. diet and smoking).

Apolipoprotein A-II: evaluating its significance in dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis

Reduced HDL cholesterol, commonly found in subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). ApoA-II, a constituent apolipoprotein of certain HDL particles, plays an important role in the regulation of cholesterol efflux, HDL remodelling, and cholesteryl ester uptake via its interactions with lipid transfer proteins, lipases, and cellular HDL receptors. Recent studies have linked apoA-II directly with triglyceride and glucose metabolism. Most of the data are, however, derived from cellular systems and transgenic animal models. Direct evidence from human studies is scarce. Clinical studies demonstrate that apoA-II is a strong predictor of risk for CVD. There is no evidence, however, that selective therapeutic modification of apoA-II impacts on atherosclerosis and clinical outcomes. More research is required to investigate further the significance of apoA-II in clinical medicine.

Immunonephelometric determination of the apolipoprotein A-II

A fully mechanized immunonephelometric method is described for the rapid and specific determination of apolipoprotein A-II in serum. The method utilizes commercially available sheep antiserum against human apolipoprotein A-II. Nephelometry was performed with the Behring Nephelometer Analyzer (BNA). A single determination can be performed in 12 minutes, requiring 10 microliters sample volume. The measuring range is about 0.08 to 1.25 g/l apolipoprotein A-II. Precision is characterized by intra-assay coefficients of variation of 3.37%, 3.93% and 4.49% for apolipoprotein A-II concentrations of 1.22 g/l, 0.376 g/l and 0.185 g/l, and inter-assay coefficients of variation of 4.27% for an apolipoprotein A-II concentration of 0.404 g/l, respectively. Accuracy of the method is shown by the close correlation of results with those from radial immunodiffusion (r = 0.913, y = 1.091 x -0.033, n = 75).