Prognostic Value of NGAL Staining in Patients with IgA Nephropathy

Background: Renal tubulointerstitial injury plays an important role in disease progression of IgAN. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) is a stress protein released by tubular cells. NGAL is a promising biomarker of acute kidney injury. There is a growing literature suggesting that NGAL is also a marker of chronic kidney disease and severity. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of NGAL staining in patients with IgAN. Methods: This retrospective study included all consecutive patients who underwent a renal biopsyat our center between January 2005 and December 2009. Forty-five patients with IgA nephritis were enrolled, and renal biopsyspecimens of 29 patients were evaluated. We evaluated baseline age, sex, hypertension, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine protein, NGAL staining, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and extracapillary proliferation. The primary endpoint of this study was doubling of baseline serum creatinine and/or the onset of ESRD in the...