References Values of Soluble alpha-Klotho Serum Levels Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in Healthy Adults Aged 18-85 Years

Abstract

alpha-Klotho protein is a powerful predictor of the aging process and lifespan. Although lowered circulating soluble alpha-Klotho levels have been observed in aged non-healthy individuals, no specific reference values across a wide range of ages and sex using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are available for larger cohorts of healthy individuals. The present analytical cross-sectional study was aimed to establish the reference values of soluble alpha-Klotho serum levels in healthy adults by age and sex groups. A total of 346 (59% women) healthy individuals aged from 18 to 85 years were recruited. Subjects were divided by sex and age as: (i) young (18-34.9 years), (ii) middle-aged (35-54.9 years), and (iii) senior (55-85 years) individuals. The soluble alpha-Klotho levels were measured in serum using ELISA. Senior adults were the age-group that presented the lowest soluble alpha-Klotho serum levels (p < 0.01), with age showing a negative association with soluble alpha-Klotho serum levels (p < 0.001). No differences between sexes were observed. Therefore, soluble alpha-Klotho levels were especially decreased-regardless of sex-in our cohort of healthy individuals because of the physiological decline derived from the aging process. We recommend routine assessments of soluble alpha-Klotho levels using ELISA as a simple and cheap detectable marker of aging that improves quality of life in the elderly.