title: Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin to Monitor Lupus Nephritis Disease Activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to determine whether there is an association between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urinary transforming growth factor-β1 (uTGF-β1) with lupus nephritis (LN) disease activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urine samples from 18 LN patients were collected every month for six months then examined for uNGAL, uTGF-β1, and renal domain Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uNGAL levels were significantly different between active and inactive LN (P < 0.05). uTGF-β1 levels were not different between active and inactive LN (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between uNGAL levels and renal domain SLEDAI score (r = 0.417, P < 0.05). There was no correlation between uTGF-β1 levels and renal domain SLEDAI score (r = 0.031, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  uNGAL is better than uTGF-β1 for differentiation of active and inactive LN. uNGAL can be considered as a biomarker to monitor LN disease activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Susianti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Jullyanny W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wijaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Ati
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rastini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Kusworini
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Handono
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Atma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gunawan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Handono
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalim
keywords: disease activity; lupus nephritis; uNGAL; uTGF-β1