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DRIED BLOOD SPOT SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

Enthalpy Analytical has developed systems that can prepare and process large quantities of Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples for LC/MS/MS analysis. DBS is gaining recognition as a superior alternative to traditional plasma collection in many research applications because it maintains analytical accuracy while returning sample collection savings of up to 40 percent. DBS eliminates many costly, time-consuming, and unpleasant aspects of sample collection while returning excellent analytical results.

HOW DBS SAMPLING WORKS

Sample collection using the DBS technique is simple. Extract a single drop of blood from the research subject. Apply the blood to the pretreated DBS card and let dry. Once dry, the blood sample becomes effectively inert, and pathogens in the sample are inactivated. The cards can then be shipped to Enthalpy Analytical by whatever means is most efficient. No special handling is needed.

Once Enthalpy receives your DBS cards, we remove small discs from which sample handling robots extract and prepare the blood samples for analysis by LC/MS/MS. The method is developed and validated, and analyses performed in our laboratory under GLP conditions or as specified.

Using DBS sampling adds speed and economy on both ends of the blood sampling process, from collection through final analysis.

BENEFITS OF AUTOMATED DBS SAMPLING

• Very small sample volume per subject required (only 10-20 µl). This makes it far easier and faster to extract samples, and also allows multiple samples to be extracted from the same animal.
• DBS is suitable for both preclinical (animal) samples and clinical (human) samples.
• The minimal sample volume required makes it possible to do serial bleeds from one lab animal for a more accurate pharmacokinetic profile.
• No centrifugation or other preparatory handling steps are needed as with traditional plasma samples.
• Faster throughput at both the sample collection point and at the bioanalytical lab.
• Cards are stored and handled at room temperature in ambient atmospheric conditions. No refrigeration needed.
• DBS cards containing samples ship using standard carriers. No expensive refrigerated shipment by courier or other special handling required.
• Enthalpy can process DBS samples rapidly and with great precision using robotic systems specially developed for the purpose. Enthalpy has automated the process of generating DBS QC samples for calibration, which makes sample throughput faster while maintaining required levels of accuracy.
• Analytical results obtained from DBS samples can be more meaningful than those from conventional liquid plasma samples because DBS uses whole blood.

Contact Brian Owens (919-762-8112) for more information on Enthalpy's DBS services.

To learn more about how DBS sampling can benefit your research efforts, take a look at the following journal articles.

Beaudette P, et. al. Discovery Stage P Pharmcokinetics Using Dried Blood Spots, J Chromtograph B. 2004; 809:153-158

Barfield M, et. al. Application of Dried Blood Spots combined with HPLC-MS/MS for the quantification of acetominophen in toxicokinetic studies, J Chromtograph B. 2008; 870: 32-37

Liang X, et. al. Study of Dried Blood Spots Techniques for the Determination of Dextramethorphan and its Metabolite Dextrorphan in Human Whole Blood by LC-MS/MS, J Chromtograph B. 2009; 877: 799-806

Spooner N, et. al. Dried Blood Spots as a Sample Collection Technique for the Determination of Pharmacokinetics in Clinical Studies: Considerations for the Validation of a Quantitative Bioanalytical Method, Anal. Chem. 2009; 81: 1557-1563