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Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in inflammatory bowel disease: association with pathophysiology of inflammation, established markers, and disease activity

  • Original Article—Alimentary Tract
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Abstract

Background

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a multi-potent 25-kDa protein mainly secreted by neutrophils. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), overexpression of NGAL in colon epithelium has been previously shown. This is the first study analyzing serum and urinary NGAL levels in IBD patients, with regard to specific characteristics of patients and disease.

Methods

Serum and urinary NGAL levels were determined in 181 patients with IBD, 93 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 88 with Crohn’s disease (CD), 82 healthy controls (HC), and 41 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Results

Serum NGAL levels were elevated in IBD patients (88.19 ± 40.75 ng/mL) compared with either HC (60.06 ± 24.18 ng/mL) or IBS patients (60.80 ± 20.30 ng/mL), P < 0.0001. No significant difference was shown between UC (86.62 ± 35.40 ng/mL) and CD (89.92 ± 46.05 ng/mL). Significantly higher levels of serum NGAL were observed in patients with active (120.1 ± 38.46) versus inactive IBD (61.58 ± 15.98), P < 0.0001. Serum NGAL displayed a strong ability to distinguish active IBD from inactive disease, healthy controls, or IBS patients with a sensitivity of 100, 95, and 95% and a specificity of 68, 83, and 79%, respectively, performing better than erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the assessment of disease activity in both UC and CD. Urinary NGAL levels showed neither significant difference among patients and controls nor correlation with disease activity.

Conclusions

Serum NGAL is elevated particularly in active IBD and correlates with established markers of inflammation and disease activity, implicating its role in the pathophysiology of IBD.

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Abbreviations

NGAL:

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel disease

UC:

Ulcerative colitis

CD:

Crohn’s disease

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome

CRP:

C-reactive protein

ESR:

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

eGFR:

Estimated glomerular filtration rate

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Dimitrios Nikoulis for his excellent technical assistance and Dr. George Krommydas for his contribution to statistical analyses conducted.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Mezourlo, 41110, Larissa, Greece

    K. A. Oikonomou, A. N. Kapsoritakis & S. P. Potamianos

  2. Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

    C. Theodoridou, D. Karangelis & A. Germenis

  3. Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

    I. Stefanidis

Authors
  1. K. A. Oikonomou
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  2. A. N. Kapsoritakis
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  3. C. Theodoridou
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Correspondence to K. A. Oikonomou.

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Oikonomou, K.A., Kapsoritakis, A.N., Theodoridou, C. et al. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in inflammatory bowel disease: association with pathophysiology of inflammation, established markers, and disease activity. J Gastroenterol 47, 519–530 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-011-0516-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-011-0516-5

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