Comparison of Serum and Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) With Serum Creatinine in Prediction of Kidney Suitability for Transplantation

BACKGROUND: When using brain dead donors for organ donation, assessment of kidney function before the procedure is essential. OBJECTIVES: It would be ideal to find an early marker of viability of donor kidneys that is more accurate than creatinine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted from March of 2011 to March of 2012, included 52 deceased donors. Serum and urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and creatinine were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 18 hours after their admission to the ICU of our organ procurement unit (OPU). Other routine laboratory tests of hemglobin, blood glucose and lipid profile were performed as well. RESULTS: There were 31 males and 21 females with the mean age of 29.7 ± 14.3 (6-58) years. Thirty one patients became brain dead due to car accidents. The mean time of admission time before harvest was 12.6 ± 5.8 (3-30) hours. We did not discover any correlation of serum creatinine with serum or urinary NGAL at any time before the organ harvesting. However, serum NGAL level measurement 2 hours after admission correlated significantly with other hours' measurements (4, 6, 8 hours, r > 0.9; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum NGAL level, especially at 2 hours after admission to the ICU, should be evaluated with kidney function after transplantation to get the accurate predictive value.