Biomarkers of age effect on renal function in Down syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To assess differences in kidney function between Down syndrome (DS) individuals and a control group related to aging.

Methods: Creatinine (Cr) and specific gravity (SG) were assessed by spectrophotometric and refractometric assays in urine samples of 103 individuals with DS and 82 age-matched controls.

Results: Significantly lower levels of Cr and SG were found in DS after puberty. Significant correlations were found between SG and age as well as between Cr and SG in DS and controls (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions: Premature aging in kidneys of DS patients could lead to an impaired renal function.

Keywords::

• Down syndrome
• premature aging
• creatinine
• specific gravity
• urine

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the people with Down syndrome, families and volunteers which cooperated and made the achievement of this work possible. The authors express their gratitude to Fundación Síndrome de Down de Madrid, Centro María Corredentora, Asociación de Empleados de IBERIA Padres de Minusválidos, Fundación Nuestra Señora del Camino, C.P.E.E. Príncipe de Asturias (Aranjuez), C.P.E.E. Francisco del Pozo de Madrid, C.C.E.E. Buenafuente de Madrid, and to Hospital Niño Jesús de Madrid, for their valuable contributions to this work. The authors also thank Miss Maria Burgos for her reviewing of English in this manuscript. R.G. was responsible for Cr and SG analysis, data interpretation and drafted the report. C.C. took part in patients selection and data interpretation. E.L.-F. contributed to patients selection. Á.C. was responsible for the study design, oversaw, and finalized the report. This research was supported by Fundación Inocente, Inocente.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflict of interests.