Creatine and creatinine quantification in olympic athletes: dried blood spot analysis pilot study

Abstract

Capillary dried blood spot (DBS) samples facilitate field-based collection without venipuncture. This pilot study aims to evaluate the viability of creatine (Cr) and creatinine (Crt) quantification using fresh capillary serum (Cr S /Crt S ) and DBS samples (Cr DBS /Crt DBS ), using Flow Injection Analysis Mass Spectrometry (FIA – MS). Nine Olympic Athletes provided a capillary blood sample to assess Cr S /Crt S and Cr DBS /Crt DBS quantified by FIA – MS. No difference between Crt S (mean ± SD: 813.6 ± 102.4 μmol/L) and Crt DBS (812.4 ± 108.1 μ mol/L) was observed with acceptable variance [SEM 88.7; CV 10.7%; ICC 0.57 (CI 95% 0.06 – 0.84)] and agreement [very strong (Spearman: r = 0.77; p < 0.01) or strong (Pearson: r = 0.56; p = 0.04); Bland Altman: lower (-193) and upper (+196) limits of agreement]. Cr S (mean ± SD: 691.8 ± 165.2 μ mol/L) was significantly different to Cr DBS (2911 ± 571.4 μ mol/L) with unacceptable variance [SEM 171.6; CV 27%; ICC 0.002 (CI 95% -0.02 – 0.07)] and ‘weak’ agreement [Spearman: r = 0.21, p = 0.47 and Pearson: r = 0.06, p = 0.84; Bland Altman lower (-3367) and upper (-1072) limits of agreement]. Crt quantification is viable using both Crt S and Crt DBS (but not for Cr and Cr S /Cr DBS ), with the DBS tissue handling technique offering several methodological and practice facing advantages. Future work should expand upon the sample size, explore sport/discipline relevant analytes across a full competitive season, including key training, recovery and performance blocks of their periodized performance plan.

Use of Home-Based Self-Collected Dried Blood Spots to Test for Syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C and B Virus Infections and Measuring Creatinine Concentration

“…DBS creatinine in nephrology patients was thought to be feasible and could reduce patient burden in monitoring graft function compared with the conventional venous blood sampling. Similar studies in healthy individuals are rare 24 …”

“…Similar studies in healthy individuals are rare. 24 To the best of our knowledge, there have been no other published reports comparing the performance of these five tests (syphilis, HIV, HCV, HBV, and creatinine) on DBS samples specifically in the MSM population, a key population for these infections and for PrEP indications requiring creatinine monitoring. The combination of these tests together with the previously evaluated self-sampling for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis, [25][26][27] may help to offer individuals a comprehensive STI home kit but the issue of insufficient blood on the cards should be resolved.…”

Mass Sportrometry: An annual look back at applications of mass spectrometry in sport and exercise science

“…The number of studies identified in each of these categories can be seen in Figure 2, with more information for each study provided in the Supporting Information. In addition, six publications collected biosamples from sporting populations solely for use in the optimization and/or validation of an MS‐based assay; these publications will not be discussed in this review but are included for reference 10–15 . These studies represent work across a broad range of participants and environments, including but not limited to work completed in athletes, military personnel, medical/hospital patients, and comparisons across young and old persons.…”

“…In addition, six publications collected biosamples from sporting populations solely for use in the optimization and/or validation of an MS‐based assay; these publications will not be discussed in this review but are included for reference. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 These studies represent work across a broad range of participants and environments, including but not limited to work completed in athletes, military personnel, medical/hospital patients, and comparisons across young and old persons. Overall, it is exciting to see the gradual increase in the application of MS in SES, with these papers herein highlighting the progress made over the previous calendar year.…”