STUDIES WITH AN IMPROVED WHITE CELL ISOLATION METHOD TO ASSESS VITAMIN-C STATUS IN SURVEYS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (3) , 236-247
Abstract
A method for isolating white cell which employs a disposable syringe was modified and adapted to nutrition survey work. Methylcellulose was used as a clumping agent for erythrocytes. This method was more rapid and was easier to perform than a previously recommended metrizoic acid technique which gave similar results. Average leukocyte recovery was 62% and erythrocyte contamination was 0.75 erythrocyte/leukocyte. Recovery of added ascorbic acid to white cell pellets was better than 95% and tests of the reproducibility of the assay gave a coefficient of variation of 6% for samples in the deficient range. Extraction of vitamin C from white cells was carried out in a centrifuge tube and took only 30 s. Vitamin C apparently was stable for several weeks after freezing either the white cell extracts in dilute metaphosphoric acid or simply the white cell pellets. The method was utilized under field conditions during a small survey of Eskimos from Arctic Bay [Canada]. The significance of the white cell vitamin C content as an index of nutritional status is discussed.