Serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) Determination is Influenced by Sample Incubation Temperature in Healthy Beagle Dogs

Abstract

The measurement of serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production by platelets is a specific test for assessment of platelet cyclooxygenase (COX-1) activity following administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sample incubation at 37 °C for one hour on serum TXB2 concentration in comparison with incubation at room temperature. A total of 54 blood samples for serum TXB2 measurements were collected from six healthy beagle dogs into two separate serum tubes. While one group of tubes was incubated in a 37 °C water bath, the second group of tubes was left to coagulate at room temperature, both for one hour. Serum TXB2 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The mean concentration (± SD) of serum TXB2 in the group of samples that were incubated at 37 °C was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher compared to the group of samples incubated at room temperature, 1098 ± 346 μg/l and 550 ± 257 μg/l, respectively. The results of the study provide the information on serum TXB2 concentration in healthy beagle dogs and demonstrate that validated methods for assessment of COX-1 activity by measurement of serum TXB2 should be used in order to make results more reliable and comparable between different studies. The results of this study might be of great help in planning NSAID studies in dogs by providing the information that TXB2 generation by platelets is influenced profoundly by incubation temperature.