Assessment of growth arrest-specific 6 protein as a biomarker of glomerular damage in sickle cell anaemia

Abstract

Objective: To assess growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) protein as a biomarker of glomerular damage (glomerulopathy; nephropathy) in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Methods: seventy SCA patients on routine clinic visit and seventy apparently healthy controls were recruited into the study and their blood and urine samples were collected while plasma Gas6 as well as urinary albumin and creatinine measured. Their socio-demographic and other anthropometric indices were documented. The study participants and controls were screened for urinary tract infection (UTI) using the urine dipstick combi-10 on their urine. The plasma Gas6 of all patients were compared with the albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) along with the ages. Albumin and creatinine levels were also compared with ages. Results: Gas6 had an inverse though insignificant relationship with ACR and age in the patients; albumin, creatinine and albumin creatinine ratio varied directly with age in these patients. Conclusion: Gas 6 was not found a useful marker of glomerulopathy in sickle cell anaemia.