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Published on: July 11, 2014
Differences in metabolite profile between blood plasma and serum
Linsheng Liu1, Jiye Aa, Guangji Wang
1Lab of Metabolomics, Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 21009, China.
Analytical Biochemistry
|July 27, 2010
Summary
Serum is recommended over plasma for metabolomic studies due to distinct metabolite profiles. Incubation significantly impacts plasma more than serum, highlighting sample choice importance.
Area of Science:
- Metabolomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Blood plasma and serum are often considered interchangeable in metabolomic research.
- This perceived equivalence leads to arbitrary sample selection, potentially affecting study outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the low-molecular-weight compound profiles of serum and plasma.
- To investigate the impact of blood incubation time on metabolite analysis.
- To provide recommendations for sample selection in metabolomic studies.
Main Methods:
- Routine serum and plasma samples were prepared.
- Low-molecular-weight compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
- Principal components analysis and t-tests were used to compare metabolite profiles and identify significant differences.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in metabolite profiles were observed between serum and plasma.
- Fifty percent (36 of 72) of identified compounds differed significantly between the two sample types.
- Incubation affected analyte peak areas more in plasma than in serum, especially with shorter incubation times.
Conclusions:
- Serum and plasma exhibit distinct metabolite profiles, necessitating careful sample selection.
- Incubation time is a critical factor influencing analyte stability and should be standardized.
- Serum is recommended as the preferred sample type for metabolomic studies due to greater analyte stability.
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