title: [Serum non-esterified fatty acids to albumin ratio increased significantly in children with nephrotic syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and albumin (ALB) in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and investigate the clinical significance of altered serum NEFA to ALB ratio in children with NS in acute and remission phases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of NEFA and ALB were measured in 55 NS children in acute phase, in 33 NS children in remission and in 122 healthy control children, and the ratio of NEFA to ALB was calculated. The other lipid/lipoprotein and renal function parameters were also analyzed in these children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the healthy control children, children with NS had a significantly decreased serum ALB level (t=11.152, P<0.001) and a significantly increased NEFA to ALB ratio (t=4.991, P<0.001). Compared with NS children in remission, those in acute phase showed a significantly decreased ALB (Z=7.822, P<0.001) and an increased NEFA to ALB ratio (t=4.991, P<0.001). In all the NS children, NEFA to ALB ratio was positively correlated with the levels of TC (r=0.564, P<0.001), TG (r=0.444, P<0.001), LDL-C (r=0.625, P<0.001), urea (r=0.437, P<0.001), creatinine (r=0.278, P=0.013), and uric acid (r=0.397, P<0.001), while negatively correlated with the level of total protein (r=-0.461, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that NEFA to ALB ratio was independently associated with serum urea levels (β=0.703, P=0.001; adjusted R2=0.494) after adjustment of other related factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum NEFA to ALB ratio is significantly increased in NS children in close association with impaired kidney function, and may function as a novel parameter for assessing the development of NS.
authors: Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command, Nanjing 210002, China. E-mail: 1204631218@qq.com.
authors: Chun-Li
authors: CL
authors: Fan
authors: Jia
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Xiao-Min
authors: XM
authors: Bu
authors: Shu-Jun
authors: SJ
authors: Wan
authors: Peng-Tao
authors: PT
authors: Guo
authors: Yan-Juan
authors: YJ
authors: Ma
authors: Jun-Jun
authors: JJ
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human