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Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
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Serum cystatin C is an early renal dysfunction biomarker in patients with hepatitis C virus

Nagwa Mohamed Assem1, Amany Ibrahim Mohammed2, Hamed Mohamed Abdel Barry2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Egyptian Liver Journal
|December 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can impact kidney function. Elevated cystatin C and a reduced creatinine/cystatin C ratio may signal early renal dysfunction in HCV patients, even with normal creatinine levels.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Biomarkers

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with extrahepatic manifestations, including renal dysfunction.
  • Early detection of renal affection in HCV patients is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Biomarkers like cystatin C, cryoglobulins, rheumatoid factor (RF), and complement C3 are investigated for their diagnostic role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of cystatin C, cryoglobulins, RF, and complement C3 in identifying renal dysfunction in newly diagnosed HCV patients.
  • To assess the relationship between these biomarkers and renal function parameters in HCV infection.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 400 individuals screened for HCV infection was studied.
  • Participants were divided into three groups: healthy controls, HCV antibody-positive/PCR-negative, and HCV antibody-positive/PCR-positive (Group IIb).
  • Serum and urine samples were analyzed for various biochemical markers, including cystatin C, creatinine, bilirubin, albumin, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio.

Main Results:

  • HCV patients (Group IIb) exhibited elevated total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio, with decreased serum albumin and creatinine clearance.
  • Despite normal blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, Group IIb showed increased cystatin C, cryoglobulins, and RF, alongside decreased serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio and complement C3 levels.
  • Significantly higher serum cystatin C (>1.24 mg/L) and lower creatinine/cystatin C ratio (<70.1 μMol/mg) were observed in HCV-infected patients, correlating with liver and kidney parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum cystatin C and a reduced creatinine/cystatin C ratio serve as potential early indicators of mild renal dysfunction in HCV-infected individuals.
  • These biomarkers can detect renal impairment even when serum creatinine levels remain within the normal range.
  • The findings highlight the importance of monitoring cystatin C in HCV patients for early detection of kidney involvement.
Abstract

Keywords:
AKIComplement C3CryoglobulinsCystatin CHCVPCRRF

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