Cystatin C (Gamma Trace)

Cystatin C has formerly been referred to as gamma trace because of its migration in the gamma region in electrophoresis. The low molecular weight of Cystatin C means that is readily filtered by the glomerulus, and this, together with its virtually constant production makes Cystatin C an excellent indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and kidney function. Most reports indicate that Cystatin C is superior to the more traditional GFR marker, creatinine. Despite this, it has had only limited commercial success and Cystatin C has yet to replace creatinine as an indicator of GFR, perhaps due to the greater cost of measurement. More recently other roles have been discovered for Cystatin C. One example is the possible role of Cystatin C as a predictor of outcomes in vascular and cardiovascular pathologies. It also seems to play a role, in perhaps both negative and positive ways, in pathologies involving amyloid deposits.