ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Soluble α-Klotho (s-Klotho) is a circulating protein with pleiotropic effects that mainly induce protective effects. Our study investigates the associations between s-Klotho and several established inflammatory biomarkers, with the aim of examining whether s-Klotho levels are representative of inflammatory states. METHODS: A total of 11,128 eligible participants from NHANES 2007-2016 were included in our study. Levels of four inflammatory biomarkers, uric acid (UA), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, and mean platelet volume (MPV), were examined for their relationship with s-Klotho levels. Sub-analyses sorted the total population by gender and into four quartiles. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the strengths of associations. RESULTS: All four inflammatory biomarkers were significantly associated with s-Klotho levels. UA, CRP, and WBC count showed an inverse association, while MPV showed a direct one. Of the four markers, UA was most strongly correlated with s-Klotho levels (ß coefficient: -28.89 in unadjusted model, p<.001), and this relationship was stronger in women than in men (ß coefficient of UA in men: -22.01, p<.001; in women: -31.54, p<.001). In addition, all four biomarkers manifested stronger associations with s-Klotho in higher quartiles, and the highest absolute values of ß coefficients appeared in Q4 vs. Q1. CONCLUSION: s-Klotho is significantly associated with well-recognized inflammatory biomarkers. A decrease in s-Klotho levels implies a general inflammatory status; therefore, s-Klotho serves as a potential biomarker that is inversely correlated with inflammatory conditions. Further applications in clinical practice will provide us with a better understanding of its role.Key messagesSoluble α-Klotho (s-Klotho) levels are significantly associated with the inflammatory markers uric acid, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and mean platelet volume.S-Klotho is involved in inflammatory processes and plays a protective role.S-Klotho may serve as an inverse indicator of inflammation.