Topical Application of Methyl Nicotinate Solution Enhances Peripheral Blood Collection

• Published in: Laboratory medicine 2022-09, Vol.53 (5), p.500-503
• Main Authors: Zhu, YuLi, Xu, Wei, OuYang, LiangLiang, Wang, Hong, Mao, WeiWei, Zhou, HuiXiang, Shen, Chao, Hu, ZhiJian, Tan, YunChang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood; Blood banks; Medical examination; Niacin; T cells
• ISSN: 0007-5027; 1943-7730
• DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmac033

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate whether local application of methyl nicotinate solution can change the content and proportion of blood cells in peripheral blood samples and to determine whether this treatment is a safe and reliable method for improving peripheral blood collection. Methods Routine blood analysis and flow cytometry were used to analyze the contents and proportions of blood cells and T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood samples. Experimental blood specimens were collected from earlobes treated with different concentrations of methyl nicotinate solution, and the control group consisted of blood specimens collected from untreated earlobes. Results The blood flow in the earlobe was significantly increased after methyl nicotinate solution stimulation, especially when the methyl nicotinate solution concentration was greater than 10−4 mol/L. There were no significant changes in the proportions of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, or lymphocytes in the peripheral blood obtained from earlobes treated with methyl nicotinate solution. The proportion of T lymphocytes increased in the experimental group, but this difference was not significant. Conclusion Local application of methyl nicotinate solution is a feasible method for improving peripheral blood collection, especially for patients with venous blood collection phobia or an inability to provide venous blood samples.