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Diagnostic and epidemiological implications of regional differences in serum concentrations of proteins observed in six Asian cities

  • Kiyoshi Ichihara , Yoshihisa Itoh , Won-Ki Min , Sook Fan Yap , Christopher W. K. Lam , Xian Tao Kong , Chiung-Tei Chou and Haruo Nakamura
Published/Copyright: June 1, 2005

Abstract

The IFCC Committee on Plasma Proteins has been investigating regional differences for commonly assayed plasma proteins to determine whether universal reference intervals can be applied. As a part of this study, we launched an Asian project analyzing the concentrations of 13 serum proteins whose values are standardized to CRM470, and five newer analytes: retinol-binding protein (RBP), cystatin C (CysC), lightchain-κ (L-κ), and light-chain-λ (L-λ). In Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai, serum samples were collected from 146 to 415 apparently healthy individuals with nearly equal gender ratios. All assays were performed in Tokyo on a Behring Nephelometer II (BN II). Seven chemical analytes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyltransferase (γGT), creatinine, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) were also measured. These results were used for excluding individuals with possible latent clinical disorders.

Positive acute phase reactants were consistently lower, and negative ones were higher, in Tokyo than those in other cities. The most conspicuous difference was observed in C-reactive protein (CRP). There were no regional differences in transferrin, albumin, or CysC. Creatinine was much lower in Tokyo despite comparable CysC levels. ALT and γGT were higher in Shanghai, Taipei and Seoul; γGT and TG were higher in Shanghai; and HDL-C was higher in Tokyo.

Gender-related differences in reference intervals were observed for immunoglobulin (Ig)M, haptoglobin, RBP, transferrin, α2-macroglobulin (A2M), transthyretin, α1-acid glycoprotein, CysC, and C4 in all cities. Slight age-related differences were observed, irrespective ofthe region, in IgA and ceruloplasmin (increase) and A2M (decrease).

Environmental factors and lifestyle seem to have a great influence on many commonly measured analytes.

Published Online: 2005-6-1
Published in Print: 2004-7-5

Copyright (c) 2004 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG

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  17. Reference intervals for plasma proteins: similarities and differences between adult Caucasian and Asian Indian males in Yorkshire, UK
  18. Diagnostic and epidemiological implications of regional differences in serum concentrations of proteins observed in six Asian cities
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  24. Creation of the necessary analytical quality for generating and using reference intervals
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  27. The NEXUS vision: an alternative to the reference value concept
  28. Meetings and Awards
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