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NGAL: a biomarker of acute kidney injury and other systemic conditions

International Urology and Nephrology volume 42, pages 141–150 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a 25 kDa protein belonging to the lipocalin superfamily. It was initially found in activated neutrophils, however, many other cells, like kidney tubular cells, may produce NGAL in response to various insults. Recently, it has been found to have a role in iron metabolism by virtue of its binding with siderophores. It has also been found to have a role in kidney development and tubular regeneration after injury. In experimental studies, it was found to be highly expressed in response to tubular injury. In subsequent clinical studies, urine NGAL has been found to be an early predictor for acute kidney injury (AKI). Newer devices for early bedside detection of NGAL are now available. Since serum creatinine is known to be an inadequate and late marker of AKI, NGAL might soon emerge as a troponin-like early marker for AKI. Recent evidence also suggests its role as a biomarker in a variety of other renal and non-renal conditions.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Sachin S. Soni is supported by a fellowship grant from international Society of Nephrology.

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Affiliations

  1. Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation, San Bortolo Hospital, Via Rodolfi, 37, 36100, Vicenza, Italy

    Sachin S. Soni, Dinna Cruz, Ilona Bobek, Chang Yin Chionh, Federico Nalesso, Paolo Lentini, Massimo de Cal, Valentina Corradi, Grazia Virzi & Claudio Ronco

  2. International Renal Research Institute, Vicenza, Italy

    Dinna Cruz, Massimo de Cal & Claudio Ronco

  3. Mediciti Hospitals, Hyderabad, India

    Sachin S. Soni

  4. Seth Nandlal Dhoot Hospital, Aurangabad, India

    Sachin S. Soni

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  1. Sachin S. Soni
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  2. Dinna Cruz
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Correspondence to Claudio Ronco.

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Soni, S.S., Cruz, D., Bobek, I. et al. NGAL: a biomarker of acute kidney injury and other systemic conditions. Int Urol Nephrol 42, 141–150 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-009-9608-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-009-9608-z

Keywords

  • Biomarker
  • Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin
  • NGAL
  • Acute kidney injury
  • AKI