Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C: potential biomarkers for early prediction of acute kidney injury in pediatric male patients

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the relationship between Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C and kidney function parameters and CRP in Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) patients. The instant research was designed to detect the level of serum markers in acute kidney injury patients in Kerbala City. 120 pediatric male samples participated, the present study was divided into two groups of 90 patients (31 Stage I,27 Stage II, and 32 Stage III) with acute kidney injury and 30 healthy control individuals matched for age and sex. The serum NGAL and Cystatin C levels were measured using an ELISA technique. Kidney function test (serum Creatinine and serum Urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), Electrolytes (Sodium (Na), potassium(K), and Chloride (Cl) and Urine output) were also measured, and Biochemical test (CRP and Albumin) were measured by quantitative method. The mean ±SD of age in (AKI) patients (5.94±4.93), while in healthy controls (7.70±5.02). The NGAL increased significantly in patients(5.69±1.23) when compared with control (2.30±0.28) and the Cystatin C increased significantly in patients (12.50±2.88) and healthy controls (5.32±1.71. The present study showed higher serum NGAL and Cystatin C in AKI patients related to early predicting renal complication and high levels of Kidney function tests (serum Creatinine, serum Urea, CRP, Chloride (Cl), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)) in AKI and lower each of (glomerular filtration rate (GFR), Potassium (K), Albumin, and Urine output).Therefore, NGAL and Cys C can be considered a biomarker for Acute Kidney injury (AKI).