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Introduction: For deceased donor renal transplantation, it is important to have early markers that can predict the functional outcome of the transplant. Currently, creatinine is the marker of choice for determining whether a potential donor’s kidneys are suitable for transplantation. Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) is a biomarker that has been utilized to diagnose early-stage acute kidney injury, but its behavior in deceased donors is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine whether donor uNGAL levels can predict delayed graft function in recipients. Methodology: A prospective cohort utilizing descriptive statistics and non-parametric median tests was carried out to evaluate donor uNGAL levels at the time of kidney removal. The behavior of this biomarker was analyzed in kidney transplant donors to evaluate its use as a predictive factor for DGF. Results: A total of 27 standard criteria transplants were evaluated, including 7 (25.9%) women and 20 (74.1%) men with a median age of 27 years (18.75-43.25). The principal cause of death was traumatic head injury, followed by stroke. The median creatinine level was 0.8 mg/dl (0.57-1), and the median uNGAL level was 11.1 ng/ml (4.2-33.6). In total, 46 transplants were performed, of which 15.22% (7 patients) presented with delayed graft function and 2 patients needed renal replacement therapy within the first week after transplantation. The patients were grouped according to the presence of DGF, with median uNGAL values of 11.1 ng/ml (3-17.3) in patients without DGF and median values of 11.2 ng/ml (7.7-39.4) (p=0.4) in those with delayed graft function. No factors were found to be associated with the development of delayed graft function in the multivariate analysis. Discussion: in this study, uNGAL measurements in deceased standard criteria donors did not predict delayed graft function.

Delayed graft function occurs in about 20 to 50 percent of kidney transplants. To describe the behavior of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGALu) in deceased-donor renal transplant recipients and to compare this indicator with the percentage of creatinine decrease (PdC) for the early detection of delayed graft function. NGALu levels were evaluated in a prospective cohort in the first, 12th, 24th and 48th hours after kidney transplant, and compared with the daily PdC until day 5. We included 79 patients in the study. Delayed graft function occurred in 13 patients (16.5%), and five patients (6.3%) required dialysis in the first week. NGALu levels at all cut-off points were higher in patients with delayed graft function (p=0.526, p=0.049, p=0.032, and p=0.001). NGALu levels above 120 ng/ml at 48 hours predicted delayed graft function with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 71%. A PdC of 59.5% best discriminated the delayed graft function, with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 83% at 48 hours. Using logistic regression for the adjusted delayed graft function, the only significant values to predict it were those of PdC. NGALu levels measured at 48 hours after renal transplantation predicted delayed graft function, including the need for dialysis; however, this marker was not superior to the PdC for early detection.

Introducción. La función retardada del injerto renal se presenta en 20 a 50 % de los trasplantes renales.Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento de la lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en receptores de trasplante renal de donante fallecido y compararlo con el porcentaje de descenso de la creatinina sérica para detectar tempranamente la función retardada del injerto renal.Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron los niveles de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en una cohorte prospectiva 1, 12, 24 y 48 horas después del trasplante renal, y se compararon diariamente con los de la creatinina sérica hasta el quinto día del trasplante.Resultados. Se incluyeron en el estudio 79 pacientes con trasplante renal de donante fallecido. La función retardada del injerto renal se presentó en 13 pacientes (16,5 %) y cinco de ellos (6,3 %) necesitaron diálisis en la primera semana. Los valores de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en todos los puntos de corte fueron mayores en los pacientes con función retardada del injerto renal (p=0,526, p=0,049, p=0,032 y p=0,001, respectivamente). Se estableció un valor de más de 120 ng/ml a las 48 horas como factor de predicción de la función retardada del injerto, con una sensibilidad de 75 % y una especificidad de 71 %; el valor de creatinina sérica que mejor discriminó la función retardada se presentó a las 48 horas (59,5 %), con una sensibilidad de 92 % y una especificidad de 83 %. En la regresión logística los únicos valores significativos para predecir la función retardada del injerto renal fueron los de la creatinina serica.Conclusión. Los niveles de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos a las 48 horas del trasplante renal predijeron la función retardada, incluida la necesidad de diálisis, pero no fueron superiores a los de la creatinina sérica para la detección temprana.