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The study is published in the June issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Researchers studied blood samples from nearly 16,000 people 50 andolder enrolled in a population-based study of plasma cell disordersin Olmsted County, Minn. They found that those who had the highestlevel of free light chains -- the top 10 percent -- were about fourtimes more at risk of dying than those with lower levels. Evenafter accounting for differences in age, gender and kidneyfunction, the risk of death was roughly twice as high. The study suggests that high levels of free light chains aremarkers of increased immune system response to infection,inflammation or some other serious disorders, says lead researcherVincent Rajkumar, M.D., a Mayo Clinic hematologist. Researchers have known that high levels of free light chains areassociated with increased risk of death among patients with plasmadisorders, such as lymphomas and other blood cancers, but this isthe first study to find that high levels of light chains areassociated with increased mortality in the general population. Freelight chain levels can be measured by using a serum free lightchain assay, a simple blood test. This test is often used tomonitor light chain levels in patients with plasma disorders suchas myeloma to gauge how well they are responding to treatment. However, Dr. Rajkumar cautions against administering this test withthe intent of gauging one's risk of death. "We do not recommend this test as a screening test, because itwill only cause alarm," Dr. Rajkumar says. "We do notknow why this marker is associated with higher rates of death. Wedo not have a way of turning things around. Therefore, I would urgecaution in using this test until we figure out what to do about itand what these results mean." Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce large amounts ofantibodies and are key to fighting off infection. The antibodiesare composed of two different types of molecules tightly joined toeach other: heavy chains and light chains. Most people produce atleast a slightly excess amount of light chains that can be detectedin the blood in the "free" state, unbound to heavychains. Free light chains are not usually a threat to health, butexcess levels serve as a marker of underlying immune systemstimulation, kidney failure or plasma cell disorders such asmyeloma. Next steps for researchers include identifying the precisemechanisms by which excess free light chains are associated with ahigher likelihood of death and determining if specific diagnosticor treatment options need to be pursued. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.Freelite, the manufacturer of the serum free light chain assay,provided the serum free light chain assay reagents for this study. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as LED Track Light Fixtures , Metal Halide Track Lighting, and more. For more , please visit LED Track Light Fixtures today!
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