Age-related faecal calprotectin, lactoferrin and tumour M2-PK concentrations in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Objective Measurement of the faecal markers calprotectin, lactoferrin and tumour M2-PK has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis and management of a range of gastrointestinal disorders in both children and adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the requirement for age-related reference ranges. Methods Faecal samples were obtained from 132 healthy subjects and analysis of calprotectin, lactoferrin and tumour M2-PK performed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results In the healthy subjects median concentrations were as follows: for calprotectin – 2–9 y, 34 μg/g, 10–59 y, 22 μg/g and ≥60 y, 27 μg/g; for lactoferrin – 2–9 y, 2.2 μg/g, ≥10 y, 0.5 μg/g; and for tumour M2-PK all subjects <1 U/mL. Significant differences between age groups for different markers resulted in the following age-related reference ranges: calprotectin – 2–9 y, <166 μg/g, 10–59 y, <51 μg/g, ≥60 y, <112 μg/g; lactoferrin – 2–9 y, <29 μg/g, ≥10 y <4.6 μg/g. Conclusion In healthy individuals, we found there to be variation in the faecal inflammatory markers calprotectin and lactoferrin with age. For both calprotectin and lactoferrin children aged 2–9 y had significantly higher concentrations than subjects aged ≥10 y. For calprotectin but not lactoferrin, adults ≥60 years had a higher concentration than those aged 10–59 y. There was no change with age in the metabolomic marker faecal tumour M2-PK in healthy subjects. The knowledge of age-related reference ranges in healthy subjects is important to fully interpret changes in gastrointestinal disease.