McDade Thomas W, Shell-Duncan Bettina
Laboratory for Human Biology Research, Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
J Nutr. 2002 Dec;132(12):3760-3. doi: 10.1093/jn/132.12.3760.
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide, and transferrin receptor (TfR) level has been identified as an important measure of iron status that is not confounded by inflammation. However, logistical constraints associated with sample collection and processing have limited efforts to measure TfR, particularly at the community level. Standardized filter paper provides a relatively convenient and minimally invasive means for collecting and transporting samples of whole blood from simple finger pricks, and we present results of our validation of an improved method for quantifying TfR in dried blood spots. The method is based on commercially available reagents and uses capillary blood that is applied directly from the finger to filter paper, eliminating the need for premeasurement at the collection site. The blood spot TfR assay is precise and reliable, agrees well with plasma TfR, and can be performed at any facility with a microplate reader and basic laboratory equipment. Concentrations of TfR remain stable for at least 4 wk when blood spots are stored at room temperature, but begin to deteriorate after 3 d of exposure to higher temperatures. The advantages and disadvantages of the blood spot TfR method are discussed, as well as its potential contribution to future field-based studies of iron deficiency.
缺铁是全球最常见的微量营养素缺乏症，转铁蛋白受体（TfR）水平已被确定为衡量铁状态的一项重要指标，且不受炎症干扰。然而，与样本采集和处理相关的后勤限制阻碍了TfR检测工作，尤其是在社区层面。标准化滤纸为通过简单的手指采血来采集和运输全血样本提供了一种相对便捷且微创的方法，我们展示了对一种改进的干血斑中TfR定量方法的验证结果。该方法基于市售试剂，使用直接从手指采集到滤纸上的毛细血管血，无需在采集现场进行预测量。血斑TfR检测精确可靠，与血浆TfR高度一致，并且可以在任何配备酶标仪和基本实验室设备的机构进行。当血斑在室温下储存时，TfR浓度至少在4周内保持稳定，但在较高温度下暴露3天后开始降解。本文讨论了血斑TfR方法的优缺点及其对未来缺铁现场研究的潜在贡献。
