Neutrophil gelatinase-assocliated lipocalin(NGAL) as an early biomarker for acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury(AKI) is a syndrome characterized by loss of function in a short time (hours to days).The scarcity of early biomarker for AKI has hindered our ability to launch therapy for this disease. Neutrophil gelatinase-assocliated lipocalin(NGAL) is a new member of lipocalin family. It has been implicated as a cell survival factor in many kinds of tumors and a novel iron transporter. NGAL in the urine is an earlier marker than creatinine in serum from acute renal failure patients. Studies show that NGAL as a early biomarker for acute renal failure can be detected in the urine. The article reviews the biological function of NGAL.