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Factors influencing serum neopterin and β2-microglobulin levels in a healthy diverse population

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Abstract

Sera and questionnaire data from a population-based random sample of healthy adults was used to evaluate factors influencing neopterin and β2-microglobulin (β2m) values. Both neopterin and β2m levels increased with age and were higher among white than blacks (mean values for whites and blacks: neopterin, 5.06 vs 4.49 nmol/L; β2m, 1.36 vs 1.28 mg/L). Gender differences were noted for β2m but not neopterin values (β2m males vs females: 1.37 vs 1.29 mg/L). Neopterin values were lower among current smokers than among nonsmokers (4.32 vs 5.16 nmol/L) and were higher among users of antihistamines (5.46 among users vs 4.65 nmol/L among nonusers). Neopterin and β2m were correlated in this healthy adult population (adjustedr=0.53,P=0.001), yet no other interrelationships with numerous biologic markers except between β2m and serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels (adjustedr=.41,P=0.05) were observed. These findings provide important baseline information to consider before planning or evaluating studies utilizing neopterin or β2m levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Viral Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 20852, Bethesda, Maryland

    Laura S. Diamondstone, Elizabeth Maloney & William A. Blattner

  2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, 15261, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    David J. Tollerud

  3. Institut fur Medizinische Chemie und Biochemie, University of Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Dietmar Fuchs & Helmut Wachter

  4. Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, National Cancer Institute, 20852, Bethesda, Maryland

    Linda Morris Brown

  5. Metabolism Branch, National Cancer Institute, 20852, Bethesda, Maryland

    Carole C. Kurman & David L. Nelson

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  1. Laura S. Diamondstone
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Diamondstone, L.S., Tollerud, D.J., Fuchs, D. et al. Factors influencing serum neopterin and β2-microglobulin levels in a healthy diverse population. J Clin Immunol 14, 368–374 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01546321

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