title: The role of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in lupus nephritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for lupus nephritis (LN) activity. We determined the association between uNGAL with LN activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared to the current standard markers of SLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 SLE patients with biopsy-proven LN were recruited-47 with active and 53 inactive LN. uNGAL levels were measured. Renal function test, urinary parameters, lupus serology and calculated renal SLE Disease Activity Index-2K (renal SLEDAI-2K) were analyzed to determine their associations with uNGAL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normalized uNGAL levels (ng/mg creatinine) were significantly higher in patients with active LN compared to those with inactive disease (p=0.01). uNGAL and renal SLEDAI-2K were associated (r=0.32, p=0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that only serum creatinine and renal SLEDAI-2K were independent predictors of uNGAL levels (p=0.03 and 0.02 respectively). Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that uNGAL was a potential biomarker for LN.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  uNGAL was increased in active LN especially in LN flares. Serial measurements of uNGAL levels may be of value in monitoring response of LN to treatment and for predicting LN flares.
authors: Nephrology Unit, Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: sabah_alharazy@yahoo.co.uk.
authors: Sabah Mohamed
authors: SM
authors: Alharazy
authors: Norella C T
authors: NC
authors: Kong
authors: Marlyn
authors: M
authors: Mohd
authors: Shamsul Azhar
authors: SA
authors: Shah
authors: Abdul Halim
authors: AH
authors: Abdul Gafor
authors: Arbaiyah
authors: A
authors: Ba'in
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000652:urine*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D003404:Creatinine
keywords: Lupus nephritis; Renal disease activity; Urine neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin