Glyceraldehyde preserves glucose concentrations in whole blood specimens.

BACKGROUND: Glucose concentrations decrease in blood specimens during transport/processing, primarily because of continuing metabolism (glycolysis) by erythrocytes. Several means to reduce the loss of glucose in blood specimens have been developed, but all have major drawbacks. Glyceraldehyde, which has antiglycolytic activity, was assessed for potential in preserving glucose in blood specimens.
METHODS: Heparinized blood from volunteers was treated with glyceraldehyde and other agents. After incubation for various times, plasma concentrations of glucose and other common analytes were determined with prevalent commercial analyzers.
RESULTS: The racemic mixture of glyceraldehyde (D,L-GA) preserved glucose concentrations for up to 8 h at room temperature. Half-maximal effect was attained with 0.9 mmol/L D,L-GA. Trials of the D and L stereoisomers individually indicated that the L isomer (L-GA) was responsible for all or most of the antiglycolytic activity of the racemic mixture. Other related compounds were ineffective. Measurements of most common clinical laboratory analytes were unaffected by the presence of D,L-GA or L-GA.
CONCLUSIONS: Glyceraldehyde (D,L-GA or L-GA) effectively preserves glucose concentrations in whole blood specimens for up to 8 h. Specimens collected with D,L-GA or L-GA are suitable for analysis of many analytes commonly comeasured with glucose.