Abstract
Background. The aim of the present study was to examine sources of variation for serum cystatin C in a healthy Greek population. Methods. Cystatin C together with basic clinical chemistry tests was measured in a total of 490 adults (46 ± 16 yrs, 40% males) who underwent an annual health check. Demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle characteristics were recorded. Results. Higher values of cystatin C were observed among males (P = .04), participants aged over 65 years (P < .001), current smokers (P = .001) and overweight/obese participants (P = .03). On the contrary, alcohol consumption and physical activity seemed to have no influence on cystatin C levels (P = .61; P = .95, resp.). Conclusions. In interpreting serum cystatin C values in a healthy adult population, age, gender, Body Mass Index, and cigarette smoking need to be considered, and determination of reference ranges among distinct subpopulations seem to be prudent.
Highlights
Cystatin C is a nonglycosylated, low molecular weight (13.250 Da), basic protein that is a member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors [1,2,3]
Serum concentration levels of cystatin C are almost totally dependent on the glomerular filtration rate and—unlike serum creatinine levels which increase after glomerular filtration rate has fallen by approximately 50%—even a slight reduction in glomerular filtration rate causes a rise in serum cystatin C [7, 8]
Besides its usefulness as a marker of renal function, serum cystatin C appears to be a prognostic marker of cardiovascular events and death among elderly persons without chronic kidney disease [9, 10]
Summary
Cystatin C is a nonglycosylated, low molecular weight (13.250 Da), basic protein that is a member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors [1,2,3] It consists of 120 amino acids, it is produced by all nucleated cells at a constant rate, and it is excreted by the kidneys by free glomerular filtration and complete tubular reabsorption and degradation [4,5,6]. Serum cystatin C concentrations were measured in a healthy Greek adult population, and reference intervals were derived after taking under consideration sources of variation for this population. In interpreting serum cystatin C values in a healthy adult population, age, gender, Body Mass Index, and cigarette smoking need to be considered, and determination of reference ranges among distinct subpopulations seem to be prudent
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