Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin in prediction of acute kidney injury following severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum and urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) for early prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) following severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods A total of 145 cases of acute pancreatitis who were hospitalized in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2013 to December 2015 were selected and divided into the mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group (57 cases), SAP with AKI group (43 cases), and SAP with non-AKI group (45 cases), meanwhile 20 healthy volunteers from Physical Examination Center were selected as control group. The NGAL levels in serum and urine of all subjects were determined by ELISA and statistical analysis was performed. Results Compared with control group, the serum and urinary NGAL levels in MAP group, AKI group, and non-AKI group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The serum and urinary NGAL levels in AKI group and non-AKI group were higher than those of MAP group (P<0.01), but the NGAL levels were no significant difference between AKI group and non-AKI group (P>0.05). Conclusions The serum and urinary NGAL levels in patients with pancreatitis were significantly elevated and associated with the severity of pancreatitis, however it could not be used as an early marker of SAP with AKI.