iarjcmbIARJCMBIARJCMB2789-6005https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjcmb.2023.v03i02.001Evaluation of Serum NGAL as an Inflammatory Biomarker in Hemodialysis PatientsMohammedJumaaMohammedEntedharRifaatSarhatMousaMahmoodMarbutM.Sc. Medical Biochemistry, Kirkuk Health Directorate, IraqAssistant Professor Dr. Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Tikrit University, IraqProfessor Dr. Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Tikrit University, IraqBackground: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) (lipocalin-2) is an endogenous bacteriostatic protein that is released from renal tubular epithelial cells, neutrophils and macrophages. Aim: to investigate the role of serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) among hemodialysis patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Materials and methods: This prospective hospital-based study conducted in Kirkuk city. The study included 30 CKD patients undergoing regular hemodialysis at Kirkuk General Hospital, along with 30 healthy individuals as controls. Blood samples were collected before and after hemodialysis, as well as from the control group and analyzed for various parameters. The blood samples were collected for determination of serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin blood urea and serum creatinine levels were measured using biochemical colorimetric methods. Results: The findings of the study revealed that hemodialysis (HD) patients had significantly higher levels of serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) compared to the control group. The average NGAL level in HD patients was 500.2±146.1 ng/ml, whereas it was 131.65±37.1 ng/ml in the control group. This suggests that NGAL may serve as a potential biomarker for inflammation in HD patients. Additionally, after the dialysis session, the serum NGAL levels in HD patients decreased to 457.2±120.1 ng/ml. This reduction indicates that the dialysis procedure may have a beneficial effect on reducing inflammation in HD patients, as reflected by the decrease in NGAL levels. Furthermore, the study observed elevated levels of urea and creatinine in the blood of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients before undergoing hemodialysis. However, after the completion of the dialysis procedure, there was a significant decrease in these levels. This indicates the effectiveness of hemodialysis in removing waste products such as urea and creatinine from the bloodstream. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential role of NGAL as an inflammatory biomarker in HD patients and demonstrate the efficacy of hemodialysis in reducing both NGAL levels and waste products in CKD patients. Further research and investigation are warranted to fully understand the clinical implications and the relationship between NGAL, inflammation and the effectiveness of hemodialysis in managing CKD patients.