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Protocol - Fasting C-peptide - Assay

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Description

This protocol provides instructions for drawing, processing, and storing blood according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) methods. As there are no standard assays for C‑peptide, the protocol also provides basic guidelines to aid comparability among different studies.

Specific Instructions

Although all three are valuable stand-alone measures and all should be collected if resources are available, the Diabetes Working Group (WG) recommends that investigators prioritize Insulin first, C‑peptide second, and Proinsulin third. This is because results from the Insulin bioassay can be combined with results from Fasting Plasma Glucose bioassay to derive the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. The Diabetes WG notes that while it is not the preferred method, the C-peptide assay can be performed on individuals who have not met the fasting requirements.

Note from the Diabetes WG: The investigator should record the reason a sample person is excluded from the blood draw, whether the subject is fasting, and the number of hours since the last meal.

Note from the Diabetes WG: Blood should be collected in an appropriate 5 mL or 10 mL red-top tube.

Note from the Diabetes WG: The Diabetes WG recommends that the investigator record whether the blood was drawn and whether the full amount was obtained.

Note from the Diabetes WG: Serum should be stored at -80°C until testing and shipped on dry ice to prevent thawing.

Note from the Expert Review Panel: Plasma or Serum

Collection of blood samples for the measurement of analytes requires a general determination of whether to use serum or plasma for the assay and also a determination of the type of collection tube to be obtained. For example, if serum is to be used, a determination needs to be made as to whether red-top or serum gel separator collection tubes are used. While comparable values are obtained for many analytes from either serum or plasma, there may be situations where differences are more pronounced, and serum- or plasma-specific norms will be needed for references. The protocol presented here uses red-top/serum separator tubes. At times, it may be possible to collect both, but other considerations, such as participant burden, may be the deciding factor. It is important to match assay type with sample type. Some automated devices may preclude the use of serum, for example, while others may be optimized for it. Investigators should choose methods of collection that match the methods of analysis. This will best be done by communicating with the laboratory where the proposed assays will be performed. The laboratory will become an important partner with you in assuring that there is compatibility from collection to assays to interpretation and reporting of levels and results.

Availability

Available

Protocol

The following is a summary version of the full National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 protocol.

Exclusion Criteria

Persons will be excluded from this component if they:

• Report that they have hemophilia;

• Report that they have received cancer chemotherapy in the last 3 weeks; and

• Report that they have not fasted at least 9 hours.

SP = Sample Person.

1. Did you eat or drink anything other than plain water after [Insert time at 9 hours prior to sample collection] last night?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

[ ] Refused

[ ] Don’t Know

If the answer is "No," then he or she has met the 9-hour fast. If the answer is "Yes," "Don’t know," or "Refused," then the actual fasting time is unknown.

Confirmation Question:

2. Have you had any of the following since {insert time from 1 here}?

Coffee or tea with cream and sugar? [Include milk or non-dairy creamers.]

[ ] Yes If Yes, record time and date _____________

[ ] No

Alcohol, such as beer, wine, or liquor?

[ ] Yes If Yes, record time and date _____________

[ ] No

Gum, breath mints, lozenges, or cough drops, or other cough or cold remedies?

[ ] Yes If Yes, record time and date _____________

[ ] No

Antacids, laxatives, or anti-diarrheals?

[ ] Yes If Yes, record time and date _____________

[ ] No

Dietary Supplements such as vitamins and minerals? [Include multivitamins and single nutrient supplements.]

[ ] Yes If Yes, record time and date _____________

[ ] No

3. Do you have hemophilia?

1 [ ] Yes

2 [ ] No

7 [ ] Refused

9 [ ] Don’t Know

If the SP answers "Yes," the SP is excluded from the blood draw. If the SP answers "No" or "Don’t Know," blood is drawn from the SP.

4. Have you received cancer chemotherapy in the past 4 weeks or do you anticipate such therapy in the next 4 weeks?

1 [ ] Yes

2 [ ] No

7 [ ] Refused

9 [ ] Don’t Know

If the SP answers "Yes," the SP is excluded from the blood draw. If the SP answers "No" or "Don’t Know," blood is drawn from the SP.

Venipuncture Procedures

Editor’s Note: Please review chapter 4 of the Laboratory Procedures Manual from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for a full description of Phlebotomy procedures. 2007-2008 NHANES Lab Manual.

Venipuncture should generally be performed using the median cubital, cephalic, or basilic veins in the left arm unless this arm is unsuitable. If the veins in the left arm are unsuitable, look for suitable veins on the right arm. If the veins in the antecubital space on both arms are not suitable, then look for veins in the forearm or dorsal side of the hand on the left arm/hand and then the right arm/hand.

Record the Results of the Venipuncture Procedure

Immediately after completing the venipuncture, record the results of the blood draw, the reasons for a tube not being drawn according to the protocol, and any comments about the venipuncture.

Process the Sample for the C-peptide Assay

Editor’s Note: Please review chapter 8 of the Laboratory Procedures Manual from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 for a full description of Blood Processing procedures: 2007-2008 NHANES Lab Manual.

• Allow the blood to clot by setting aside for 30-45 minutes at room temperature. Do not clot for more than 1 hour.

• Centrifuge the tube at room temperature to separate the serum and aliquot into an appropriate storage tube.

• Determine if the serum is hemolyzed, turbid, lipemic, or icteric. If so, enter a comment to describe the serum.

Laboratory Assay for C-peptide

The Diabetes Working Group (WG) notes that although there is not a standardized assay, there are a number of different kits that are appropriate to measure the concentration of C-peptide in serum. Once an assay is chosen for a particular study, the WG recommends that no changes in the protocol be made over the course of the study. To aid comparability, the WG recommends that Toolkit users follow manufacturer’s instructions and carefully record their procedure, including the make and manufacturer of equipment used and the repeatability and coefficients of variation for the assay.

Reference Range

Concentrations of fasting C-peptide normally range between 0.22 and 0.87 pmol/mL.

Personnel and Training Required

Phlebotomist Laboratory capable of performing c-peptide assay

Equipment Needs

Phlebotomy supplies

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Bioassay

Lifestage

Child, Adolescent, Adult, Senior

Participants

Participants 6 years of age and older

Selection Rationale

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 protocol was selected as the best practice, standardized methodology for blood collection, processing, and storage.

Language

Chinese, English, Other languages available at source

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Fasting C-peptide proto 62803-2 LOINC
Human Phenotype Ontology Abnormal C-peptide level HP:0030794 HPO
caDSR Form PhenX PX141201 - Fasting Cpeptide Assay For Residual Beta Cell Function 6169518 caDSR Form
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

The Expert Review Panel #1 reviewed the measures in the Anthropometrics, Diabetes, Physical Activity and Physical Fitness, and Nutrition and Dietary Supplements domains.

Guidance from the ERP includes:

• Changed name of measure

• Added recommendations on use of serum or plasma

Back-compatible: no changes to Data Dictionary

Previous version in Toolkit archive (link)

Protocol Name from Source

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), Laboratory Procedures Manual, 2007

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). (2007). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Questionnaire. Laboratory Procedures Manual. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

General References

American Diabetes Association (ADA). (2014). Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 37(Suppl. 1), S81-S90.

Marques, R. G., Fontaine, M. J., & Rogers, J. (2004). C-peptide-Much more than a byproduct of insulin biosynthesis. Pancreas, 29(3), 231-238.

Miles, R. R., Roberts, R. F., Putnam, A. R., & Roberts, W. L. (2004). Comparison of serum and heparinized plasma samples for measurement of chemistry analytes [Letter to the Editor]. Clinical Chemistry, 50(9), 1704-1705.

Protocol ID

141201

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX141201_Alcohol
PX141201020201 Have you had any of the following since more
{insert time from 1 here}? Alcohol, such as beer, wine, or liquor? show less
N/A
PX141201_Alcohol_Date
PX141201020203 If Yes, record date N/A
PX141201_Alcohol_Time
PX141201020202 If Yes, record time N/A
PX141201_Antacids
PX141201020401 Have you had any of the following since more
{insert time from 1 here}? Antacids, laxatives, or anti-diarrheals? show less
N/A
PX141201_Antacids_Date
PX141201020403 If Yes, record date N/A
PX141201_Antacids_Time
PX141201020402 If Yes, record time N/A
PX141201_Assay_Repeatability
PX141201100000 Repeatability of the assay N/A
PX141201_Assay_Type
PX141201080000 Type of assay performed to determine the more
concentration of C-peptide. show less
N/A
PX141201_Blood_Draw_Comments
PX141201060300 Record any comments about the blood draw, more
including any reasons for the tube not being drawn according to the protocol. show less
Variable Mapping
PX141201_Blood_Draw_Done
PX141201060100 Was blood drawn? Variable Mapping
PX141201_Blood_Draw_Sample
PX141201060200 Was full sample obtained? N/A
PX141201_Chemotherapy
PX141201040000 Have you received cancer chemotherapy in the more
past four weeks or do you anticipate such therapy in the next four weeks? (exclusion from Phlebotomy) show less
Variable Mapping
PX141201_Coefficient_Of_Variation
PX141201110000 Coefficient of variation for the assay N/A
PX141201_Coffee_Tea
PX141201020100 Have you had any of the following since more
{insert time from 1 here}? Coffee or tea with cream and sugar? [Include milk or non-dairy creamers.] show less
Variable Mapping
PX141201_Coffee_Tea_Date
PX141201020102 If Yes, record Date N/A
PX141201_Coffee_Tea_Time
PX141201020101 If Yes, record time N/A
PX141201_C_Peptide_Concentration
PX141201120000 C-peptide concentration N/A
PX141201_Dietary_Supplements
PX141201020501 Have you had any of the following since more
{insert time from 1 here}? Dietary Supplements such as vitamins and minerals? [Include multivitamins and single nutrient supplements.] show less
N/A
PX141201_Dietary_Supplements_Date
PX141201020503 If Yes, record date N/A
PX141201_Dietary_Supplements_Time
PX141201020502 If Yes, record time N/A
PX141201_Eat_Or_Drink
PX141201010000 Did you eat or drink anything other than more
plain water after 11:30 last night? show less
N/A
PX141201_Equipment_Make_Manufacturer
PX141201090000 Make and manufacturer of the equipment used. N/A
PX141201_Exclusion_Criteria
PX141201050000 Exclusion Criteria N/A
PX141201_Fasting_Or_Casual_CPeptide_Concentration
PX141201130000 Was the participant fasting? N/A
PX141201_Gum
PX141201020301 Have you had any of the following since more
{insert time from 1 here}? Gum, breath mints, lozenges, or cough drops, or other cough or cold remedies? show less
N/A
PX141201_Gum_Date
PX141201020303 If Yes, record date N/A
PX141201_Gum_Time
PX141201020302 If Yes, record time N/A
PX141201_Hemophilia
PX141201030000 Do you have hemophilia? (exclusion from more
Phlebotomy) show less
Variable Mapping
PX141201_Last_Eat_Or_Drink_Date
PX141201010200 When did you last eat or drink anything more
other than plain water? show less
Variable Mapping
PX141201_Last_Eat_Or_Drink_Time
PX141201010100 When did you last eat or drink anything more
other than plain? show less
Variable Mapping
PX141201_Sample_Comments
PX141201070000 Comments to describe the sample during processing. Variable Mapping
Diabetes
Measure Name

Fasting C-peptide Assay

Release Date

May 10, 2010

Definition

A bioassay to measure serum concentration of C-peptide (connecting peptide), a small peptide that is cleaved from the proinsulin protein to form an active insulin protein. This peptide is produced by the pancreas as a by-product of insulin processing. It is secreted together with insulin.

Purpose

C-peptide levels may be used to differentiate type 1 from type 2 diabetes. People whose pancreas does not make any insulin (type 1 diabetes) have low levels of insulin and C-peptide. A person with type 2 diabetes has a normal or high level of C-peptide. C-peptide levels can be a more sensitive test of pancreas activity than insulin because they are not confounded by insulin replacement therapy. (Marques et al., 2004; ADA, 2010).

Keywords

diabetes, proinsulin, C-peptide, pancreas, hyperglycemia, homeostatic model assessment, HOMA, insulin resistance, NHANES

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
141201 Fasting C-peptide - Assay
Publications

McCarty, C.A., Berg, R., Rottscheit, C.M., Waudby, C.J., Kitchner, T., Brilliant, M., Ritchie, M.D. (2014) Validation of PhenX measures in the personalized medicine research project for use in gene/environment studies. BMC Med Genomics. 2014 January; 7: 3. doi: 10.1186/1755-8794-7-3