Expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in low osmolar contrast-induced nephropathy in rats and the effect of N-acetylcysteine

Serum creatinine (Scr), which is a conventional indicator of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), is unable to reflect the damage of kidney promptly. The present study aimed to investigate the value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in kidney and serum of CIN rats to observe whether NGAL can be used as a superior indicator of CIN. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used to assess its effect on CIN. A total of 120 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=30/group): CIN rats (CIN), normal rats treated with NAC (NAC), CIN rats treated with NAC (NAC+CIN) and the control group (CON). Serum Scr and NGAL values were measured at 2, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h following the procedure. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were used to detect NGAL within the kidney tissue. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to access the renal injury score. Oxidative stress within the kidney was analyzed via malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The level of NGAL in the serum and tissue of the CIN group increased significantly 2 h after the procedure (P<0.05). However, the Scr value did not exhibit a significantly change until 48 h later. Based on the renal injury scores, NAC reduced the kidney damage caused by the contrast. NAC treatment was associated with a decrease in SOD levels and an increase in MDA. These findings suggested that NGAL was a superior indicator of CIN than Scr, as NGAL was able to detect kidney damage much earlier. Furthermore, NAC treatment inhibited oxidative stress, thus protecting against CIN.