title: Changes in Urinary and Serum Levels of Novel Biomarkers after Administration of Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study is to describe the changes in urinary and serum levels of novel biomarkers after gadolinium contrast administration in patients with normal renal function.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured four biomarkers in 28 volunteers: interleukin-18 (IL-18), N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and cystatin C. Urinary and serum samples were collected at 0, 3, and 24 hours following gadolinium administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline serum creatinine was 57.8 ± 34.5 µmol/L and remained stable. Urinary IL-18 levels increased significantly at three hours (10.7 vs. 7.3 ng/mg creatinine; P < 0.05). Similarly, urinary NAG levels increased significantly at three hours (3.9 vs. 2.2 IU/mg creatinine; P < 0.001). For both these markers, the difference was no longer significant at 24 hours. No statistically significant differences were observed for urinary and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels and for serum cystatin C levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urinary IL-18 and NAG levels increased transiently after administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with normal renal function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Habib
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mawad
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Louis-Philippe
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Laurin
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Naud
authors.affiliation: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: François A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Leblond
authors.affiliation: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Henley
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vallée
authors.affiliation: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pichette
authors.affiliation: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leblanc
keywords: biomarkers; contrast-induced nephropathy; gadolinium; nephrotoxicity