| 초록 |
Several studies reported that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is associated with the tubulointerstitial damage in CKD patients. ‘Non-albumin’ proteinuria is also known to reflect the tubulointerstitial damage in CKD patients. In this study, we investigate the association between the plasma NGAL and the non-albumin proteinuria in CKD patients. This study included 829 CKD patients with proteinuria. The subjects were into categorized into a CKD stage 1, 2 group (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73m2, n = 258) and a CKD stage 3, 4, 5 group (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2, n = 571). Proteinuria was quantitated by the random urine protein to creatinine (PCR) and albumin to creatinine (ACR). The albumin and non-albumin fraction of total proteinuria were expressed as %Albuminuria (ACR/PCR x 100) and %Non-albuminuria (100-%Albuminuria), respectively. The urine ACR and PCR levels, and %Albuminuria are significantly higher in CKD stage 3, 4, 5 group than in CKD stage 1, 2 group. %Non-albuminuria was lower (in other words, %albuminuria was higher) in CKD 3, 4, 5 group than in CKD stage 1, 2 group. In CKD stage 1, 2 group, the plasma NGAL levels were independently associated with the %Non-albuminuria (β = 0.475, P < 0.001). The eGFR, urine ACR, and PCR were not associated with the plasma NGAL levels. In CKD stage 3, 4, 5 group, the plasma NGAL levels were independently associated with the %Non-albuminuria (β = 0.274, P < 0.001). In addition, the eGFR (β = -0.360, P < 0.001) and hsCRP (β = 0.120, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the plasma NGAL levels. The urine ACR and PCR were not associated with the plasma NGAL levels. Increased plasma NGAL levels are independently associated with the increased non-albumin proteinuria in patients with CKD, irrespective of CKD stage. |