The blood serum concentration of cystatin C (γ-trace) as a measure of the glomerular filtration rate

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Abstract
The blood serum concentrations of creatinine and the low molecular weight proteins cystatin C, β2-microglobulin and retinol-binding protein were measured in 106 patients whose glomerular filtration rates were assessed by Cr-ethylenedi-aminetetraacetate (EDTA)-clearance determinations. The reciprocals of the serum concentrations of creatinine, cystatin C and β2-microglobulin were closely correlated to the Cr-EDTA-clearance (r = 0.73, 0.75 and 0.70, respectively) in contrast to the corresponding values for retinol-binding protein (r = 0.39). The calculated values of the glomerular elimination rate for creatinine and cystatin C were normally distributed in contrast to those for β2-microglobulin. The calculated glomerular elimination rate of cystatin C was not correlated to age, sex, type of disorder or disease activity. The results demonstrate that the serum level of cystatin C is a better measure of the glomerular filtration rate than the serum level of β2-microglobulin.