Urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin rapidly decreases in the first week after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Background Recipient delayed graft function, which is defined as dialysis in the first week after transplantation, is one of the most common early complications after kidney transplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the daily changes in renal function‐related biomarkers in the first week post‐transplant. Methods A total of 72 kidney transplant recipients were retrospectively included in this study. Clinical and laboratory data were collected daily during the first week post‐transplant, including urinary concentrations of neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), serum concentrations of NGAL, creatinine, urea nitrogen, uric acid (UA), β2‐microglobulin, cystatin C, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results There were no significant differences in urea nitrogen (P = .375), UA (P = .090), and cystatin C (P = .691), while urinary NGAL (P < .0001), serum NGAL (P < .0001), creatinine (P < .0001), β2‐microglobulin (P < .0001), and eGFR (P < .0001) were statistically significant in the first week post‐transplant. In comparison with serum NGAL (P < .0001), creatinine (P < .0001), β2‐microglobulin (P = .001), and eGFR (P = .001), the change ratios of urinary NGAL changed the most between day 1 and day 2 after renal transplantation, while the changing degree of urinary NGAL showed no significant difference compared with these indicators between day 1 and day 7 after kidney transplantation. Conclusion Urinary NGAL is a sensitive marker for indicating renal function. Urinary NGAL combined with other markers can be more helpful for evaluating renal function in the first week following kidney transplantation.

Evaluation of NAG, NGAL, and KIM-1 as Prognostic Markers of the Initial Evolution of Kidney Transplantation

“…NGAL elevation on day 7 post-transplant could be related to nephrotoxicity or inflammation [14,39]. This result is not consistent with those found in other studies [40,41], possibly due to the different inclusion/exclusion criteria carried out. Finally, the KIM-1 increase observed from day 3 after transplant could indicate a failure in proximal tubule regulation, or ischemic/nephrotoxic kidney damage [42].…”

Perfusate Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, Kidney Injury Molecular-1, Liver-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein, and Interleukin-18 as Potential Biomarkers to Predict Delayed Graft Function and Long-Term Prognosis in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

“…However, this study has some limitations: (1) This was a single-center retrospective study with a small sample size. (2) The included patients were all Chinese, which may have brought bias into the study due to the ethnicity and source of patients.…”

“…Kidney transplantation is the best choice for treatment of endstage kidney disease (ESKD). For patients with ESKD, this operation of can improve quality of life and help rebuild patient confidence and return to society [1], and the cost of longterm treatment is significantly lower than that of dialysis [2].…”

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin predicted to contrast‐associated acute kidney injury after planned percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients

“…Thus, it is necessary to use biomarkers that appear early from the time of renal damage in predicting AKI. Recently, urine Neutrophil Gelatinase‐Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) has been evaluated as a valuable biomarker in predicting and diagnosing acute kidney injury in critical patients in intensive care units, 9 patients with the first week after kidney transplantation 10 as well as patients undergoing cardiovascular intervention. 11 , 12 , 13 NGAL, belonging to the lipocalin family, is a small protein with a molecular weight of 25 kDa composed of 178 amino acids.…”