ABSTRACT
Objective To study the influence of sample type and storage conditions on the stability of adrenocorticotrophic hor-mone(ACTH) detection results .Methods The samples were divided into the plasma and serum groups ,57 cases in each group .The ACT H concentration was detected within 1 h after blood collection ;30 samples of sufficient plasma amount were extracted from the plasma group and re-divided into the room temperature ,refrigeration and frozen groups ,30 cases in each group .The ACTH concen-tration in the room temperature and refrigeration groups were detected at the time points of 2 ,24 ,121 h ,while which in the frozen group was detected at 24 ,121 h .Then the detection results were compared with the setting standard values .Results The ACTH level in the serum group was obviously lower than that in the plasma group ,the results showed statistically significant difference be-tween the two groups(P<0 .05) .The detection results at 2 ,24 ,121 h had statistical difference between the room temperature group and the standard value(P<0 .05);the detection results at 2 ,24 h had no statistical difference between the refrigeration group and standard value(P>0 .05) ,while which at 121 h had statistical difference between the refrigeration group and standard value (P<0 .05);the detection results at 24 ,121 h had no statistical difference between the frozen group and standard value (P>0 .05) .Con-clusion Adopting EDTA-K2 anticoagulation samples for detecting ACTH level should complete the detection within 1 h under low temperature ;if the detection can not be completed within 24 h ,the separated plasma should be stored by freezing at -20 ℃ ,the de-tection results change is relatively stable within 121 h .