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Measurement of calbindin-D9K in small intestinal biopsy specimens of children
M Staun1, A Paerregaard, P A Krasilnikoff
1Department of Medicine A, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Calcium Metabolism
Background:
- Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption.
- Calbindin-D9K is a key protein in this process.
- Its levels in children with chronic diarrhea require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess calbindin-D9K levels in children.
- To explore correlations with age, bone age, and height.
- To investigate its relationship with intestinal alkaline phosphatase.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used for measurement.
- Small intestinal biopsy specimens analyzed.
- 10 children aged 15-126 months included.
Main Results:
- Calbindin-D9K levels were higher than in adults.
- Inverse correlation found between calbindin-D9K and age, bone age, and height.
- Direct correlation observed with intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity.
Conclusions:
- Calbindin-D9K levels decrease with age in children.
- This suggests reduced vitamin D-dependent calcium absorption during childhood.
- Further research needed for children with chronic diarrhea.
Abstract:
The vitamin D dependent intestinal calcium-binding protein (calbindin-D9K) was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay in small intestinal biopsy specimens from 10 children (aged 15-126 months). The aim was to study the relationship between calcium-binding protein and age, bone age, and height. The patients were examined due to complaints of chronic diarrhea, but no evidence of malabsorption was found. The amount of calbindin-D9K per mg of soluble protein in the small intestinal biopsy specimens was higher than previously studied in normal adults. Calbindin-D9K correlated inversely with chronological age, bone age, and height of the children (p = -0.87, rho = -0.66, and rho = -0.66; p less than 0.05). A direct correlation was found between calbindin-D9K and intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity (p = 0.60; p less than 0.05). The decline in calbindin-D9K may indicate that the active vitamin D dependent intestinal calcium absorption decreases during childhood.