Clinical significance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in evaluating residual renal function after living donor kidney resection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum and urinary levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for evaluating changes of residual renal function after living donor kidney resection under different operation model in young versus elderly patients. Methods The clinical data of renal transplants were retrospectively analyzed by successfully using 66 living-related donors at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2016 to October 2017.According to the operation model and age, renal donors were divided into 4 groups: group A (young/open), group B (young/laparoscopic), group C (aged/open), and group D (aged/laparoscopic). Blood and urinary NGAL and serum levels of creatinine, cystatin C, and other indices of renal function were assayed and collected before and at 1, 3, 7 days after operation. Results Both blood NGAL levels and urinary NGAL levels showed no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05) among four groups both before and after operation, except that urinary NGAL was higher in group C (aged/open) than other groups, at 1 day after operation, (P=0.03). The post-vs.pre-operation level dynamic changes of renal function were four or three times higher in urine or serum NGAL level than in serum creatinine or cystatin C level at 1 day after operation, which showed an important role for predicting an early residual renal damage and relative treatment. Conclusions NGAL can be used as indices in evaluating changes of residual renal function after living donor kidney resection, especially in the elderly receiving open kidney resection. Key words: Living donors; Kidney transplantation; Gelatinases