Differences between Human Plasma and Serum Metabolite Profiles
2011

Differences between Human Plasma and Serum Metabolite Profiles

Sample size: 377 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Yu Zhonghao, Kastenmüller Gabi, He Ying, Belcredi Petra, Möller Gabriele, Prehn Cornelia, Mendes Joaquim, Wahl Simone, Roemisch-Margl Werner, Ceglarek Uta, Polonikov Alexey, Dahmen Norbert, Prokisch Holger, Xie Lu, Li Yixue, Wichmann H.-Erich, Peters Annette, Kronenberg Florian, Suhre Karsten, Adamski Jerzy, Illig Thomas, Wang-Sattler Rui

Primary Institution: Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health

Hypothesis

How do metabolite concentrations differ between human plasma and serum?

Conclusion

Plasma shows better reproducibility than serum, but serum has higher metabolite concentrations, making it more sensitive for biomarker detection.

Supporting Evidence

  • 104 metabolites showed significantly higher concentrations in serum compared to plasma.
  • Mean correlation coefficients for metabolite concentrations were 0.83 for plasma and 0.80 for serum.
  • Serum revealed more significantly different metabolites when comparing different phenotypes.

Takeaway

This study looked at blood samples and found that serum has more of certain substances than plasma, which can help doctors find diseases more easily.

Methodology

Analyzed 163 metabolites in plasma and serum samples from 377 fasting individuals, excluding 41 unstable metabolites.

Potential Biases

Potential bias from different blood collection procedures and the influence of anticoagulants.

Limitations

The study only measured a limited number of metabolites and may not represent the entire blood metabolome.

Participant Demographics

377 individuals (180 female, 197 male, age range from 51 to 84 years).

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021230

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