Objective:To investigate the influence of storage conditions on the plasma renin concentration(PRC)and plasma aldosterone concentration(PAC). Methods:Plasma samples from 43 subjects were divided respectively into 11 aliquots

of which one was instantly used for measurements(baseline)and the rest samples were used for PRC and PAC measurements after storage at room temperature for 3

6

24 hours;4 ℃ for 3

6

24 hours;-20 ℃ for 24 hours

1 month

3 months;-80 ℃ for 3 months. According to baseline PRC and PAC tertile

subjects were stratified into low

middle and high subgroups for analyses. Results:At room temperature

PRC had a significant downtrend during 24 hours(F =24.300

P=0.000)

and further tertile analysis showed the middle and the upper PRC groups had a significant decrease after 6 hours(P<0.05). At 4 ℃

PRC had a significant uptrend during 24 hours(F=33.600

P=0.000). Further tertile analysis showed the low and the middle groups had significant increase after 3 hours storage(P<0.05)

and the high group had a significant increase at 24 hours(P=0.042). No significant change of PRC was found after storage at-20 ℃ and-80 ℃ for 3 months. No significant change was observed in PAC

when the samples were stored at room temperature for 24 hours

4 ℃ for 24 hours

-20 ℃ for 3 months and-80 ℃ for 3 months. Conclusion:PRC will decrease at room temperature but increase at4 ℃. The storage temperature did not affect PAC in a short time(<24 hours).