Association of lipocalin-2 and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) with biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) among under 2 children in Bangladesh: results from a community-based intervention study

BACKGROUND: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is thought to occur from persistent intestinal inflammation. Studies also revealed the association of lipocalin-2 (LCN2) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) with intestinal inflammation. Therefore, we intended to explore the relationship of LCN2 and LRP1 with gut inflammation and biomarkers of EED in Bangladeshi malnourished children. METHODS: A total of 222 children (length-for-age z-score (LAZ) <-1) aged 12–18 months were enrolled in this study in a cross-sectional manner. Among the participants, 115 were stunted (LAZ <-2) and 107 were at risk of being stunted (LAZ −1 to −2) children. Plasma and faecal biomarkers were measured using ELISA. Spearman’s rank correlation was done to see the correlation among LCN2, LRP1 and biological biomarkers. RESULTS: LCN2 correlates positively with myeloperoxidase (r=0.19, p=0.005), neopterin (r=0.20, p=0.004), calprotectin (r=0.3, p=0.0001), Reg1B (r=0.20, p=0.003) and EED score (r=0.20, p=0.003). Whereas, LRP1 correlates negatively with myeloperoxidase (r = −0.18, p=0.006), neopterin (r = −0.30, p=0.0001), alpha-1-antitrypsin (r = −0.18, p=0.006), Reg1B (r=−0.2, p=0.003) and EED score (r = −0.29, p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that LCN2 might be a promising biomarker to predict gut inflammation and EED. Whereas, increased level of LRP1 may contribute to alleviating intestinal inflammation.