VARIATION OF SERUM CYSTATIN C VALUE WITH AGE

Cystatin C is a cationic cysteine protease inhibitor. Older age, male gender, greater weight, greater height, current cigarette smoking, and higher serum C-reactive protein levels were independently related with increased serum cystatin C levels after adjusting for creatinine clearance. Renal function has been shown to decline with increasing age, with kidney size and volume decreasing after the fourth decade. Keeping these points in mind, the present study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala, with the aim to estimate and compare the levels of serum cystatin C in healthy individuals of either sex in the age range of 17 years and above. On comparing serum cystatin C levels in different age groups, it was observed that the serum cystatin C levels increases with age. This change in serum cystatin C value can be due to the age related decrease in the renal function. Hence, it is concluded that while estimating the serum cystatin C levels age should be taken into consideration.