The relationship between urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and microinflammation in patients with hypertensive nephropathy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the variation of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level in hypertensive with early renal injury, and its relationship with micro-inflammation. Methods One hundred and seven patients with primary hypertension were recruited in this study. According to the level of urinary albumin excreting rate(UAER), these 107 patients were divided into three subgroups: 30 patients in normal albumin (NA) level in urine, 39 patients in micro albumin(MA)level in urine and 38 patients in clinical albuminuria(CA) . Another 40 healthy adults were recruited in this study as control group. Each patient’s testing results of NGAL and hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hsCRP) were recorded. The level of serum Cr was also recorded, the value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the formula of Cockroff-Gault. Results The level of urine NGAL in patients with hypertension was obviously higher than in control group with healthy adults (P<0.01). Furthermore, the difference of NGAL could be seen inside the group of hypertension: the level of urine NGAL in subgroup of MA and subgroup of CA was significant higher than in subgroup of NA (P<0.01). Additionally, the level of urine NGAL was negative correlation to eGFR (r=-0.403, P<0.01), and positive to serum hsCRP (r=0.451, P<0.01). Conclusions The level of urine NGAL increases obviously in patients with hypertensive nephropathy, and a positive correlation exists between the severity degree of renal injury and inflammation factor. It imply that the level of NGAL can be served as a tool for diagnosis of early renal injury and micro-inflammation in patients with hypertensive nephropathy. Key words: Hypertension; Kidney Diseases; Lipocalins; Inflammation