Relationships Among Kidney Function, Systemic Inflammation, and Age in the Indigenous Shuar of Ecuador: The Shuar Health and Life History Project
Datum
2017
Autor:innen
Hallett, Eliza Marie
Zeitschriftentitel
ISSN der Zeitschrift
Bandtitel
Verlag
University of Oregon
Zusammenfassung
This article aims to investigate and evaluate the relationships among between kidney function as measured by Cystatin C (CysC) levels, inflammation as measured by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and age in the indigenous Shuar of Ecuador. The assay used in this study to measure CysC levels expands the ease with which researchers can analyze and assess kidney function in non-western populations, which has large implications for public health interventions and initiatives around the world. Previously collected dried blood spots (DBS) from 128 indigenous Shuar participants were analyzed for CysC and CRP using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Lower levels of CysC mean the kidney is efficient in filtering waste and signify good kidney health, and elevated levels of CRP mean high rates of inflammation. The ELISA for CysC was based on a recently validated protocol that makes kidney function analysis through DBS possible for large community-based studies in non-clinical settings. A series of regression analyses were used to test for biological relationships among CysC, CRP, and age and between two ecological factors, (latrine type and water source). CRP and CysC levels were significantly and positively correlated (p=0.009) although the correlation was attenuated when controlling for age (p=0.078). Water source had a significant effect on CysC levels across age groups (p=0.002) and higher CysC levels were associated with a well/outdoor pipe water source. Further investigation of the association between water source and kidney health would be interesting and could have large implications for targeted public health interventions in many developing nations. This study is the first to utilize a Cystatin C DBS ELISA assay for population-based research.
Beschreibung
39 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Biology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2017
Schlagwörter
Kidney Function, Inflammation, Biomarkers, Indigenous, Ecuador, Population Study