2.4 | Data collection
After obtaining informed consent, the researcher interviewed the
participants with a uniform questionnaire comprising of demographic and
other data necessary for proper group qualification. Subsequently, basic
anthropometric measurements were performed. Serum tryptase levels were
determined using the ImmunoCAP method.
Blood samples for the measurement of plasma PAF-AH activity were
collected on citrate and transported on ice to the laboratory.
Afterwards, the samples were centrifuged at 4 °C for 10 minutes at an
acceleration of 700 to 1000 g. The obtained plasma was stored frozen at
-80 °C. Finally, the authorized laboratory analyst defrosted samples and
loaded into the PAF Acetylhydrolase Assay Kit item No. 760901 produced
by Cayman Chemical Company (USA). The test, based on the colorimetric
method, was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We
used radiation with a wavelength of 412 nm. Measurements of the
absorbance were made six times in a row, at 1-minute intervals in order
to plot the appropriate linear function. The plasma PAF-AH activity was
calculated in units of nmol/min/ml using a properly modified formula
provided by the manufacturer of the kit.