Clinical review: Biomarkers of acute kidney injury: where are we now?

Crit Care. 2012 Sep 21;16(5):233. doi: 10.1186/cc11380.

Abstract

The recognition that acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality has resulted in a substantial number of publications over the past 5 years or more. In no small part these have, to a degree, highlighted the inadequacy of conventional markers of renal insufficiency in the acute setting. Much effort has been invested in the identification of early, specific AKI markers in order to aid early diagnosis of AKI and hopefully improve outcome. The search for a 'biomarker' of AKI has seen early promise replaced by a degree of pessimism due to the lack of a clear candidate molecule and variability of results. We outline the major studies described to date as well as discuss potential reasons for the discrepancies observed and suggest that evolution of the field may result in success with ultimately an improvement in patient outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosaminidase / analysis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute-Phase Proteins / analysis
  • Biomarkers
  • Cystatin C / analysis
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • Glutathione / analysis
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1
  • Hepcidins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-18 / analysis
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / urine
  • Lipocalin-2
  • Lipocalins / analysis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Microscopy
  • Nerve Growth Factors / analysis
  • Netrin-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / analysis
  • Receptors, Virus / analysis
  • Sodium / urine
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / analysis
  • Urea / metabolism
  • Urination
  • Urine

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Biomarkers
  • Cystatin C
  • FABP1 protein, human
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • HAVCR1 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1
  • Hepcidins
  • Interleukin-18
  • LCN2 protein, human
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
  • Lipocalin-2
  • Lipocalins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Netrin-1
  • Urea
  • Sodium
  • Acetylglucosaminidase
  • Glutathione