Low Protein Levels May Up Kidney Function Decline In Elderly

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jan, 2017 ) : Older adults with low blood levels of a circulating protein in the blood may be at an increased risk of experiencing decline in their kidney function, a study has found.

The findings showed that higher blood levels of a protein called soluble klotho -- with anti-ageing properties -- may help preserve kidney function. "We found a strong association between low soluble klotho and decline in kidney function, independent of many known risk factors for kidney function decline," David Drew from Tufts University in Massachusetts, US said.

The kidney has the highest levels of klotho expression and is likely the major source of soluble klotho, and thus, in patients with kidney disease levels of klotho tend to be low, Medical Xpress reported.

Although the exact mechanism of action of soluble klotho remains to be identified, the protein has been shown to influence multiple cellular and endocrine pathways, the researchers said. After adjusting for various factors such as demographics, comorbidities, and kidney disease risk factors, each two-fold higher level of klotho was linked with a 15-20% lower likelihood of experiencing kidney function decline in the elderly.

For the study, the team analysed 2496 study elderly with measures of soluble serum klotho and repeated measures of kidney function over 10 years of follow up. Although additional studies are needed, the findings point to a potential target for preventing and treating kidney disease, the researchers stated.