The Importance of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in Monitoring Patients with Renal Transplantation

Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), a glycoprotein, is a promising biomarker for the early detection of acute renal failure (ARF) lesions, with particular relevance in transplant follow-up. Aim: This paper reviews clinical analysis’s usefulness, limitations and NGAL prospects in monitoring kidney transplant (KT) patients. The work synthesizes, through an analysis of specialized literature, data regarding the role of NGAL as a biomarker of kidney allograft failure. Discussion: NGAL (from urinary/plasma samples) predicts delayed graft function (DGF) and long-term prognosis in kidney transplant, with donor urinary NGAL being a relevant pre-transplant factor. Conclusions: NGAL is a valuable tool for detecting early ARF in transplantation. The integration of clinical efficiency requires standardization and the establishment of specific background studies that demonstrate the impact of monitoring guided by NGAL on outcomes, thereby maximizing its usefulness in a personalized approach.