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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Basic Research in Plasma Medicine - A Throughput Approach from Liquids to Cells
Published on: November 17, 2017
Should we measure serum or plasma lead concentrations?
Vania B Rezende1, Jefferson H Amaral, Raquel F Gerlach
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Summary
Serum or heparin plasma are suitable for measuring blood lead (Pb) levels, unaffected by collection method or standing time. EDTA plasma showed significantly higher Pb concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate blood lead (Pb) level measurement is crucial for health assessment.
- Serum may yield artificially elevated Pb concentrations compared to plasma.
- Standardized blood collection and processing are vital for reliable trace element analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare lead (Pb) concentrations in serum versus heparin plasma.
- To evaluate the impact of blood collection vacuum and sample standing time on Pb measurements.
- To determine the most appropriate sample type for accurate blood lead assessment.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 12 healthy subjects were collected into serum, heparin plasma, and EDTA plasma tubes.
- Samples were processed with and without vacuum, with standing times of 0, 5, and 30 minutes before centrifugation.
- Lead (Pb), iron, and hemoglobin concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Lead (Pb) concentrations in serum and heparin plasma were comparable, regardless of vacuum use.
- Sample standing time up to 30 minutes did not influence Pb levels in serum or heparin plasma.
- EDTA plasma exhibited approximately 50% higher Pb concentrations than serum or heparin plasma.
Conclusions:
- Serum and heparin plasma are appropriate matrices for assessing blood lead (Pb) concentrations.
- Blood collection method (with or without vacuum) does not impact Pb measurements in these sample types.
- Sample standing time prior to centrifugation does not affect the reliability of Pb measurements in serum or heparin plasma.
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