title: Diagnostic and prognostic utility of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients with cardiovascular diseases--review.
abstract: NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) is an acute phase protein, participating in antibacterial immunity. NGAL forms a complex with metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), thereby increasing its activity and preventing its degradation. NGAL is freely filtered through the glomerular membrane and reabsorbed by endocytosis in the proximal tubule. NGAL detected in urine is produced mainly in the distal nephron. Elevated serum and urine NGAL allows diagnosis of acute kidney injury approximately 24 hours earlier than plasma creatinine concentration. Increased levels of NGAL were detected in patients with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or stroke and were demonstrated to be strong predictors of adverse prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Helanova
authors.forename: Jindrich
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spinar
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parenica
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins