Universiteit Maastricht

Biochemical

We measure Vitamin K1 and K2 menaquinones in plasma or serum, in tissues and food products. For our vitamin K measurement we are participating in the world wide KEQAS (vitamin K External Quality Assurance Scheme at www.keqas.com) to work according to the best standard and deliver quality to our customers. We also measure biochemical markers related to bone and cardiovascular metabolism.
Biomarkers in serum or plasma.

measurement   procedure volume
(µL or gram)
Vitamin K A > 500
Vitamin K B > 1000
Vitamin D A > 60
total Osteocalcin A > 110
carboxylated Osteocalcin A > 250
uncarboxylated Osteocalcin A > 250
Bone-specific alkaline phosphatese A > 100
N-terminal collagen crosslinks NTX A > 150
desphospho MGP (Biomedica) A > 100
phosph -uncarboxylated MGP A / C > 100
desphospho-uncarboxylatedMGP C > 150
desphospho-carboxylated MGP C > 100
Procedure A Full blood has to clot for 1/2 hour at room temperature.
Then, centrifugeat room temperature for 15 minutes at 3000 times
g (~4000 rpm).
Serum will be transferred to a new vial (600 µL/vial) and stored at -80°C.
For vitamin K analysis it is important to protect the samples from UV light!
Procedure B Food has to fresh and transported at 4°C to Maastricht.
Procedure c
Full blood collected in citrated plasma (3.2%)
Centrifugate directly at room temperature for 15 minutes
at 3000 times g (~4000 rpm).
Plasma will be transferred to a new vial (600 µL/vial) 
Please store at -80°C until transfer.