title: Relationship of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and procalcitonin levels with the presence and severity of the preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in maternal serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations in preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study consisted of 40 preeclamptic and 40 healthy singleton pregnancies matched for age and body mass index. Serum NGAL and PCT levels were compared between the groups. Diagnostic performance and clinical association of these markers were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NGAL and PCT concentrations were significantly higher in preeclamptic group (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and their levels were correlated with the severity of the preeclampsia. There were significant positive correlation between these markers and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and spot urine protein excretion. There was negative correlation between NGAL and apgar scores and fetal birth weight. Pregnancies with higher NGAL (OR: 4.89; 95% CI: 1.81-13.21) and higher PCT (OR: 6.67; 95% CI: 2.44-18.21) concentrations had higher risk for preeclampsia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NGAL and PCT may be potential biomarkers for preeclampsia. Their levels increase significantly in preeclampsia and they are related to the severity of the disease. These results are in agreement with the generalized endothelial damage and persistant inflammatory status in preeclampsia. NGAL may also be an indicator for adverse neonatal outcomes with decreased placental hypoperfusion.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.
authors.forename: Burcu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Artunc-Ulkumen
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biochemistry , Celal Bayar University, School of Medicine , Manisa , Turkey.
authors.forename: Yesim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guvenc
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goker
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biochemistry , Celal Bayar University, School of Medicine , Manisa , Turkey.
authors.forename: Ceyhun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gozukara
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
keywords: Inflammation; neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL); preeclampsia; pregnancy; procalcitonin