Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and its relation to iron status in haemodialysis patients

A large body of obtained evidence has led to a re-evaluation of the role of serum ferritin as a reliable index of iron storage in HD patients. This protein is markedly influenced by malnutrition and has important gender differences, thus making it a less than ideal tool for identifying iron deficiency.Nephrologistis are aware of the usefulness of NGAL as a biomarker of acute kidney injury and chronic renal insufficiency as well as a predictor of the progression of CKD and its relation to iron status is to be further studied in these patients.The aim of this work was to study the relationship between NGAL and iron status (pre and post correction) in ESRD patients on regular HD.This study measured serum NGAL on 50 individuals divided into two groups: Group I:Control group: included 10 apparently healthy subjects Group II :Hemodialysis group: included 40 end stage renal diseased subjects on regular hemodialysis.In conclusion, the potential use of NGAL measurement in the assessment of iron status among CKD patients may be of great potential, but the findings made in the present study are only preliminary. Therefore, no clinical application can be contemplated without, for instance, specifically evaluating the real effect of chronic inflammation on circulating NGAL levels, and making an effective cost-to-benefits analysis since rapid NGAL measurement incurs considerable economic costs. Likewise, further indepth examinations are also required to ascertain whether NGAL measurement could be useful in guiding the management of iron therapy, as previously reported for other treatments.