The influence of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver on cystatin C serum concentrations

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study in humans was to examine the influence of the gastrointestinal tract and liver on the serum concentrations of cystatin C. Methods. Eighteen healthy volunteers and 28 patients suspected of having chronic intestinal ischemia underwent catheterization of the abdominal aorta and the central hepatic vein. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from the abdominal aorta and the central hepatic vein 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the start of the investigation. After the first blood sample, a standard liquid meal was ingested. Measurement of splanchnic blood flow was performed using the Fick principle with constant infusion of ^99mTc-Bridatec^®. Angiography was performed at the end of the investigation. Results. The splanchnic blood flow increased significantly postprandially in the healthy volunteers and in the patients with normal angiography by 0.613–0.698 L/min and increased non- significantly in the patients with abnormal angiography (n = 5) by 0.135 L/min on average. ANOVA and the Bonferroni's multiple comparison test showed no significant difference between the means of cystatin C, creatinine or urea in the samples taken 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the start of the investigation in the abdominal aorta and the hepatic vein in the healthy volunteers or in the patients suspected of chronic intestinal ischemia with normal angiography. Conclusion. There was no indication of hepatic elimination of cystatin C, creatinine or urea. The serum concentrations of cystatin C, creatinine and urea in the central hepatic vein and the abdominal aorta were independent of the splanchnic blood flow.

Key Words::

• Creatinine
• cystatin C
• kidney
• liver
• splanchnic circulation
• urea

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr Jørgen B. Petersen, who performed the angiographies and to Mrs Lena T. Pedersen for excellent technical assistance.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This study was supported by a grant from The Rosa and Asta Jensen Foundation.