Sample Preparation
EPR: There is no pre-preparation required for samples submitted for EPR analysis by our lab. Samples that are scheduled to be processed by our lab that same day should be transported on ice, otherwise samples should be dropped off to us on dry ice. Please be sure to include enough sample if replicates are required. Sample must be labeled exactly as indicated on the sample submission form. If you are planning to run your samples using our EPR equipment, you may use our established protocols or another protocol. If you have any questions about a protocol you plan to use, please contact us.
Lactate/Pyruvate: Pyruvate and lactate levels are measured in 10-50 µl of plasma, urine, cells and tissues extracts per run. Please be sure to include enough sample for us to process. Sample must be labeled exactly as indicated on the sample submission form. Samples should be shipped on dry ice. For cells and tissues: snap-freeze samples in liquid nitrogen and ship on dry ice.
Thiamine status: Venous blood should be collected into heparin-containing tubes. The packed erythrocytes should be washed three times with 9 g/L NaCl, with care being taken to remove the buffy coat as leukocytes are a rich source of TDP. To hemolyze the cells, add 1 mL of distilled water to 1 mL of packed cells and vortex-mixed the mixture for 1 min. Store the hemolysates at -70°C until shipment. Please be sure to provide enough sample for us to process. Sample must be labeled exactly as indicated on the sample submission form. Ship samples on dry ice to avoid sample deterioration.
Oxidative Phosphorylation: Info to come