OBJECTIVETo study serum acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) and complement 3 (C3) levels and their relationship with blood lipids in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS).

METHODSBlood samples were obtained from 35 PNS children with proteinuria, 25 children with PNS at remission and 35 body mass index-matched healthy children (control group). Fasting serum ASP, C3, albumin and blood lipids were measured.

RESULTSThe serum ASP levels in the proteinuria group (101 ± 22 nmol/L) were significantly higher than those in the remission group (32 ± 8 nmol/L) and the control group (33 ± 8 nmol/L) (P<0.01). Serum C3 levels were not significantly different among the three groups. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein B increased, in contrast, serum albumin level decreased significantly in the proteinuria group when compared with the remission and the control groups. Serum ASP levels were positively correlated with serum C3 (r=0.661; P<0.05) and triglyceride levels (r=0.354; P<0.05), whereas serum C3 levels were not correlated with serum triglyceride levels (r=0.319, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe increased serum ASP level may be associated with a complemental mechanism against hyperlipidemia in children with PNS.