Can blood samples collected from heparin lithium tubes be cryopreserved?

In modern medical research and clinical practice, proper collection, processing, and preservation of blood samples are important steps to ensure the accuracy of experimental data and the effectiveness of clinical diagnosis. Heparin lithium, as a widely used anticoagulant, is commonly used for blood sample collection due to its excellent anticoagulant performance and minimal impact on blood cell morphology. However, whether blood samples collected from heparin lithium tubes are suitable for cryopreservation and how to implement scientific and effective cryopreservation strategies have always been a focus of attention in related fields. This time, we will delve into the possibility of cryopreservation of blood samples collected through heparin lithium tubes, specific implementation methods, as well as the challenges and strategies faced.

The principle of cryopreservation for collecting blood samples using heparin lithium tubes

Heparin lithium is a sulfated polysaccharide anticoagulant that accelerates the inactivation of coagulation factors IIa (thrombin), IXa, Xa, XIa, and XIIa by binding to antithrombin III, effectively preventing blood clotting. Blood samples treated with heparin lithium can obtain clear plasma after centrifugation, which does not contain blood cells and mainly contains various biomarkers such as plasma proteins, hormones, metabolites, antibodies, etc. These are important indicators for clinical diagnosis and scientific research.

When plasma is in a frozen state, the biochemical reaction rate significantly decreases and microbial activity almost stops, which is beneficial for maintaining the original state of biomolecules in the sample and slowing down the degradation process. Cryoprotectants can lower the freezing point of a solution, increase its glass transition temperature, promote the formation of smaller and more uniform ice crystals, and thus reduce mechanical damage to plasma components.

Practice of cryopreservation of blood samples collected with heparin lithium tubes

1. Sample processing and packaging

After collecting blood samples, blood collection vessels containing heparin lithium should be used for anticoagulation treatment in a timely manner. Subsequently, centrifugation should be performed within the specified time to collect the supernatant plasma. For the convenience of subsequent sampling and to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, plasma should be divided into appropriate cryotubes to ensure that the blood samples collected from heparin lithium tubes can be used in a single test or experiment at once.

2. Freezing and storage

The pre packaged plasma sample should be quickly placed in a pre cooled freezer, such as a freezer or directly placed in a liquid nitrogen vapor layer for rapid freezing. Once in a frozen state, transfer to a freezer with the corresponding temperature set (such as -20 ℃ or -80 ℃) for long-term storage. During storage, the refrigerator temperature should be regularly checked and recorded to ensure that the temperature remains stable at the set value.

Challenges and strategies for cryopreservation of blood samples collected with heparin lithium tubes

1. Stability of plasma components

Although cryopreservation can effectively inhibit biochemical reactions, certain plasma components (such as enzymes, lipids, hormones, etc.) may still undergo denaturation, oxidation, or degradation during the freezing process. To maximize the integrity of samples collected from heparin lithium tubes, suitable freezing conditions and protective agents should be selected based on the tested indicators. If necessary, preliminary experiments can be conducted to determine the optimal freezing plan.

2. Microbial contamination risk

Although freezing can inhibit microbial growth, strict adherence to aseptic operating procedures is still necessary during collection, processing, freezing, and thawing, using aseptic freezing tubes and sealing materials to ensure that the sample is not contaminated. If necessary, the samples collected from heparin lithium tubes can be disinfected or an appropriate amount of antibiotics can be added.

The blood samples collected from heparin lithium tubes, especially the centrifuged plasma portion, can be cryopreserved under scientific and standardized procedures. A reasonable cryopreservation strategy can not only effectively prevent sample coagulation, inhibit biochemical reactions and microbial activity, but also extend the shelf life of samples, meeting the needs of clinical research and testing. With the continuous development of cryobiology and biological sample bank technology, we are expected to further improve the effectiveness of heparin lithium tubes in collecting blood samples for cryopreservation, providing more abundant and high-quality biological resources for medical research and clinical practice. Hubei Xindesheng is a professional manufacturer of lithium heparin and sodium heparin, with an independent research and development team and strict quality control by professional personnel. If you have purchasing needs, come to the website for consultation and purchase!