Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study

Abstract Background Brain death resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to significant changes in kidney function and morphology. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a promising biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to evaluate uri...

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Main Authors: Dung Thai Pham, Bang Ngoc Dao, Huy Quang Nguyen, Dung Tien Nguyen, Duong Minh Vu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Renal Replacement Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41100-025-00617-8
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author Dung Thai Pham
Bang Ngoc Dao
Huy Quang Nguyen
Dung Tien Nguyen
Duong Minh Vu
author_facet Dung Thai Pham
Bang Ngoc Dao
Huy Quang Nguyen
Dung Tien Nguyen
Duong Minh Vu
author_sort Dung Thai Pham
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Brain death resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to significant changes in kidney function and morphology. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a promising biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to evaluate urine NGAL levels in patients with brain death due to trauma and assess its relationship with kidney function and injury. Methods This prospective observational study included 63 patients diagnosed with brain death due to TBI. Urine NGAL levels were measured at 0, 12, 24, and 48 h after brain death diagnosis. Other parameters assessed included serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine output. AKI was diagnosed on the basis of KDIGO 2012 criteria. Kidney biopsy was performed at 12 h, and histopathological damage was scored according to the Karpinski classification. Results Urine NGAL levels increased significantly over time after brain death (p < 0.05). Urine NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients who developed AKI compared with those without AKI at 0 h and 12 h (p < 0.001). At 0 h, urine NGAL had excellent predictive value for AKI with area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.992 (95% CI 0.976–1.000, p < 0.001). At 12 h, urine NGAL maintained good predictive ability with AUC of 0.918 (95% CI 0.834–1.000, p < 0.001). Urine NGAL levels correlated positively with histopathological kidney damage scores at 12 h (p < 0.001). Conclusions Urine NGAL levels increase significantly after brain death due to trauma and show excellent predictive value for AKI in these patients. Urine NGAL may serve as an early and sensitive biomarker of kidney injury in patients with brain death being considered as potential organ donors.
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spelling doaj-art-a63ab9a05677458b908a9a034bc9925f2025-08-20T03:40:50ZengBMCRenal Replacement Therapy2059-13812025-03-011111610.1186/s41100-025-00617-8Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational studyDung Thai Pham0Bang Ngoc Dao1Huy Quang Nguyen2Dung Tien Nguyen3Duong Minh Vu4Intensive care, emergency and poison control center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical UniversityRespiratory Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical UniversityIntensive care, emergency and poison control center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical UniversityRespiratory Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical UniversityIntensive care, emergency and poison control center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical UniversityAbstract Background Brain death resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to significant changes in kidney function and morphology. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a promising biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to evaluate urine NGAL levels in patients with brain death due to trauma and assess its relationship with kidney function and injury. Methods This prospective observational study included 63 patients diagnosed with brain death due to TBI. Urine NGAL levels were measured at 0, 12, 24, and 48 h after brain death diagnosis. Other parameters assessed included serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine output. AKI was diagnosed on the basis of KDIGO 2012 criteria. Kidney biopsy was performed at 12 h, and histopathological damage was scored according to the Karpinski classification. Results Urine NGAL levels increased significantly over time after brain death (p < 0.05). Urine NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients who developed AKI compared with those without AKI at 0 h and 12 h (p < 0.001). At 0 h, urine NGAL had excellent predictive value for AKI with area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.992 (95% CI 0.976–1.000, p < 0.001). At 12 h, urine NGAL maintained good predictive ability with AUC of 0.918 (95% CI 0.834–1.000, p < 0.001). Urine NGAL levels correlated positively with histopathological kidney damage scores at 12 h (p < 0.001). Conclusions Urine NGAL levels increase significantly after brain death due to trauma and show excellent predictive value for AKI in these patients. Urine NGAL may serve as an early and sensitive biomarker of kidney injury in patients with brain death being considered as potential organ donors.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41100-025-00617-8Brain deathTraumatic brain injuryNeutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalinAcute kidney injuryBiomarkerKidney transplantation
spellingShingle Dung Thai Pham
Bang Ngoc Dao
Huy Quang Nguyen
Dung Tien Nguyen
Duong Minh Vu
Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study
Renal Replacement Therapy
Brain death
Traumatic brain injury
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin
Acute kidney injury
Biomarker
Kidney transplantation
title Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study
title_full Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study
title_fullStr Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study
title_short Evaluation of urine NGAL levels in brain death patients due to trauma: a prospective observational study
title_sort evaluation of urine ngal levels in brain death patients due to trauma a prospective observational study
topic Brain death
Traumatic brain injury
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin
Acute kidney injury
Biomarker
Kidney transplantation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41100-025-00617-8
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