Does cystatin C have an immunomodulatory role in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?

Elif Söbü; Zeynep Yildiz

doi:10.1515/jpem-2022-0386

Article

Does cystatin C have an immunomodulatory role in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?

Elif Söbü and Zeynep Yildiz

Published/Copyright: November 4, 2022

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From the journal Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Volume 36 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

Studies which report cystatin C’s (Cys-C) role in immunological disorders are increasing. However, data in the pediatric age group is limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between serum Cys-C levels and thyroid autoantibodies in children and adolescents diagnosed with euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Methods

The patient group was included 50 participants aged between 3 and 18 years, and the control group included 50 healthy children matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Patients with hypothyroidism or taking any medication were not included in the study. Fasting glucose, liver enzymes, urea, creatinine, lipid profile, Cys-C, free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) levels were recorded in all subjects.

Results

The mean age of control group was 13.5 ± 2.5 years, and the mean age of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) group was 14.2 ± 2.7 years, no statistically significant differences existed (p=0.205). Cys-C values were significantly higher in the HT group than in the control group (p=0.041). When all cases were evaluated, Cys-C levels were statistically positively correlated with fT3, TPOAb, and TGAb values (p<0.001, p=0.029, p=0.013 respectively).

Conclusions

Based on the results of our study, Cys-C levels in children and adolescents with euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis were statistically higher than their healthy peers. In conclusion, it can be said that Cys-C may be a factor in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis, and even small changes in TSH values affect Cys-C levels.

Keywords: cystatin C; Hashimoto thyroiditis; inflammation; thyroglobulin antibody; thyroid antibodies; thyroid peroxidase antibody

Corresponding author: Elif Söbü, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Şemsi Denizer Cad. E-5 Karayolu Cevizli Mevkii, 34865 Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey, Phone: +902164583000, E-mail: elifsobu@yahoo.com

Funding source: Manufacturer company “Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany” by means of Turkey distributor by supplying the cystatin C (CysC) test kit free of charge

Research funding: This study was supported by manufacturer company “Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany” by means of Turkey distributor by supplying the cystatin C (CysC) test kit free of charge. The funding company played no role in the study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing or submission of the manuscript.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.

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Received: 2022-08-03

Accepted: 2022-10-17

Published Online: 2022-11-04

Published in Print: 2023-01-27

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https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2022-0386

Keywords for this article

cystatin C; Hashimoto thyroiditis; inflammation; thyroglobulin antibody; thyroid antibodies; thyroid peroxidase antibody