Based in Maryland, Dr. Carl Bazan serves as Precision for Medicine clinical research associate and guides a variety of clinical trial and research programs. Dr. Carl Bazan’s experience extends to guiding testing of NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, lipocalin-2, siderocalin), which is a novel acute kidney injury biomarker used in diagnostic tests.
Elevated NGAL levels indicate acute kidney injury (AKI), a medical emergency that was once known as acute renal failure and involves the rapid deterioration of renal function. While AKI covers a broad range of kidney injuries, a unifying aspect is that after injury the body is unable to maintain the proper balance of electrolytes, pH level, and fluids. With the morbidity and mortality associated with AKI, the costs of treating the condition are often significant.
The small protein NGAL is an ideal biomarker, as it occurs in low levels within plasma and urine among healthy individuals. In case of kidney injury, its level rises rapidly, and as much as 24 hours before serum creatinine increases occur. The sensitivity of NGAL to kidney problems, typically within two hours of the injury, makes it vital in diagnosing a serious condition before it progresses further.
