Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels in Overweight/Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Background:   In recent times, the effect of obesity on the kidneys has become the focus of research, as obesity has been reported to be an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease.  It is well documented that glomerular damage occurs in the obese; however it’s not certain if tubular damage also exists.

Objective: To determine if there is tubular damage in overweight and obese adolescents using urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin.

Method: Cross sectional cohort study. The subjects were 49 (overweight /obese adolescents) and the controls were 41 normal weight adolescents. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase- associated lipocalin levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The median (interquartile range) urinary neutrophil gelatinase- associated lipocalin levels were not elevated in both groups of children,  but the overweight /obese adolescents had significantly lower median (interquartile range) levels than the normal weight adolescents 4.3 (2.9 - 6.6) ng/ml vs 7.5 (5.0-8.5) ng/ml (p =0.002).

Conclusion: Tubular injury as assessed by Urinary neutrophil gelatinase- associated lipocalin is not found in overweight/obese adolescents