title: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin: a novel biomarker in acute kidney injury.
abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality; therefore, its prophylaxis, diagnosis and intervention positively impact patient evolution. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) or lipocalin, a protein synthesized by renal tubular cells, has the property to transport lipophilic molecules such as vitamins, hormones and antigenic agents. It is a novel biomarker of AKI of several etiologies and is increased in both serum and urine 48 h before the increase of creatinine. It has a strong correlation with early diagnosis of AKI. NGAL is of the most investigated and promising biomarkers for early diagnosis of AKI in different clinical scenarios, most notably in sepsis, cardiorenal syndrome, cardiac surgery, kidney transplant, contrast nephropathy and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Lipocalin guides the early institution of therapeutic interventions to improve prognosis in AKI of several etiologies.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Terapia Intensiva, Fundación Clínica Médica Sur, México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carrillo-Esper
authors.forename: Fátima Martha
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Castillo-Albarrán
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Jáuregui
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine*; D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D059347:Cardio-Renal Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016638:Critical Illness; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D003287:Contrast Media; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D003404:Creatinine