Age-related faecal calprotectin, lactoferrin and tumour M2-PK concentrations in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
Measurement of the faecal markers calprotectin, lactoferrin and tumour M2-PK has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis and management of a range of gastrointestinal disorders in both children and adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the requirement for age-related reference ranges.


METHODS
Faecal samples were obtained from 132 healthy subjects and analysis of calprotectin, lactoferrin and tumour M2-PK performed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
In the healthy subjects median concentrations were as follows: for calprotectin - 2-9 y, 34 microg/g, 10-59 y, 22 microg/g and > or =60 y, 27 microg/g; for lactoferrin - 2-9 y, 2.2 microg/g, > or =10 y, 0.5 microg/g; and for tumour M2-PK all subjects <1 U/mL. Significant differences between age groups for different markers resulted in the following age-related reference ranges: calprotectin - 2-9 y, <166 microg/g, 10-59 y, <51 microg/g, > or =60 y, <112 microg/g; lactoferrin - 2-9 y, <29 microg/g, > or =10 y <4.6 microg/g.


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy individuals, we found there to be variation in the faecal inflammatory markers calprotectin and lactoferrin with age. For both calprotectin and lactoferrin children aged 2-9 y had significantly higher concentrations than subjects aged >/=10 y. For calprotectin but not lactoferrin, adults > or =60 years had a higher concentration than those aged 10-59 y. There was no change with age in the metabolomic marker faecal tumour M2-PK in healthy subjects. The knowledge of age-related reference ranges in healthy subjects is important to fully interpret changes in gastrointestinal disease.
Joshi
Shilpa
S
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth PL6 8DH, UK.
Lewis
Stephen J
SJ
Creanor
Siobhan
S
Ayling
Ruth M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D007781:Lactoferrin