Abstract
To provide a more convenient and more accurate method of assaying ProGRP by improving the stability of ProGRP which is known to be unstable in a biological sample.
By using a blood sample in a condition in which a blood coagulation factor is not activated is used as a sample, the degradation of ProGRP is suppressed, whereby it is possible to store a sample for a long period of time and to improve the accuracy of an assay.
Claims
1.-8. (canceled)
9. A method of improving the in vivo stability of a serum sample containing ProGRP comprising the step of adding to a serum sample containing ProGRP obtained from a subject a stabilizing amount of at least one serum protease inhibitor.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the serine protease inhibitor is phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one serum protease inhibitor is added to a sample collection vessel after serum is added to the sample collection vessel.
12. A ProGRP-stabilizing composition, wherein said composition comprises at least one serine protease inhibitor.
13. A sample collection vessel containing the composition of claim 12.
14. A kit for stabilizing ProGRP in a serum sample, the kit comprising: (a) at least one serum protease inhibitor; and (b) instructions for using the kit.
15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the at least one serum protease inhibitor is phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] FIG. 1 shows ProGRP residual ratios in room temperature storage in the presence or absence of thrombin or in serum. [0043] ProGRP residual ratio [0044] Storage time (hours) in room temperature storage [0045] .diamond-solid.: Solution without addition of thrombin [0046] : Solution with addition of thrombin [0047] x: Serum
[0048] FIG. 2 shows ProGRP residual ratios in room temperature storage in serum with or without addition of PMSF. [0049] ProGRP residual ratio after sample was left [0050] Leaving time (hours) in room temperature storage [0051] .diamond-solid.: Serum (without addition of PMSF) [0052] .square-solid.: Serum with addition of PMSF
[0053] FIG. 3 shows ProGRP residual ratios in refrigeration storage in serum or plasma. [0054] Assayed by Serumlabo ProGRP method [0055] ProGRP residual ratio after sample was left [0056] Leaving time (days) in refrigeration storage [0057] .diamond-solid.: Serum [0058] .square-solid.: Plasma
[0059] FIG. 4 shows ProGRP residual ratios in room temperature storage in serum or plasma. [0060] Assayed by Serumlabo ProGRP method [0061] ProGRP residual ratio after sample was left [0062] Leaving time (hours) in room temperature storage [0063] .diamond-solid.: Serum [0064] .square-solid.: Plasma
[0065] FIG. 5 shows ProGRP residual ratios in refrigeration storage in serum or plasma. [0066] Assayed by Architect ProGRP method [0067] ProGRP residual ratio after sample was left [0068] Leaving time (days) in refrigeration storage [0069] .diamond-solid.: Serum [0070] .square-solid.: Plasma
[0071] FIG. 6 shows ProGRP residual ratios in room temperature storage in serum or plasma. [0072] Assayed by Architect ProGRP method [0073] ProGRP residual ratio after sample was left [0074] Leaving time (hours) in room temperature storage [0075] .diamond-solid.: Serum [0076] .square-solid.: Plasma
[0077] FIG. 7 shows ProGRP residual ratios after 7-day refrigeration storage in serum or plasma. [0078] ProGRP residual ratio after 7-day refrigeration storage [0079] Serum [0080] EDTA plasma [0081] Lithium heparin plasma [0082] Citric acid plasma [0083] Sodium heparin plasma [0084] : Donor
[0085] FIG. 8 shows ProGRP residual ratios after 24-hour room temperature storage in serum or plasma. [0086] ProGRP residual ratio after 24-hour room temperature storage [0087] Serum [0088] EDTA plasma [0089] Lithium heparin plasma [0090] Citric acid plasma [0091] Sodium heparin plasma [0092] : Donor
[0093] FIG. 9 shows ProGRP residual ratios in refrigeration storage in serum or plasma. [0094] ProGRP residual ratio [0095] Storage time (hours) in refrigeration storage [0096] .diamond-solid.: Serum [0097] .square-solid.: EDTA plasma
[0098] FIG. 10 shows ProGRP residual ratios in room temperature storage in serum or plasma. [0099] ProGRP residual ratio [0100] Storage time (hours) in room temperature storage [0101] .diamond-solid.: Serum [0102] .square-solid.: EDTA plasma
