Ion MĂRUNȚELU1, Dragoș-Valentin ȘERBOI2, Tony Andrei TUDOR2, George-Cătălin NECȘERIU2, Marina-Raluca BACIU2, Maria Luiza OVIDIU2, Bogdan CALENIC3, Alexandra-Elena CONSTANTINESCU2,4, Ileana CONSTANTINESCU1,3,5*
Abstract. Introduction: Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), a glycoprotein, is a promising biomarker for the early detection of acute renal failure (ARF) lesions, with particular relevance in transplant follow-up. Aim: This paper reviews clinical analysis’s usefulness, limitations and NGAL prospects in monitoring kidney transplant (KT) patients. The work synthesizes, through an analysis of specialized literature, data regarding the role of NGAL as a biomarker of kidney allograft failure. Discussion: NGAL (from urinary/plasma samples) predicts delayed graft function (DGF) and long-term prognosis in kidney transplant, with donor urinary NGAL being a relevant pre-transplant factor. Conclusions: NGAL is a valuable tool for detecting early ARF in transplantation. The integration of clinical efficiency requires standardization and the establishment of specific background studies that demonstrate the impact of monitoring guided by NGAL on outcomes, thereby maximizing its usefulness in a personalized approach.
Keywords: NGAL, kidney transplant, acute renal failure.
DOI 10.56082/annalsarscimed.2025.1.22
1 Centre of Immunogenetics and Virology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
2 Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
3 Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
4 “Emil Palade” Center of Excellence for Young Researchers (EP-CEYR), Romanian Academy of Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
5 Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
* Correspondence: Ileana Constantinescu, Immunology and Transplant Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania; email: ileana.constantinescu@imunogenetica.ro.
PUBLISHED in Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists Series of Medicine, Volume 6, Issue 1
ISSN-L 2668-8816 ONLINE ISSN 2668-8816
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