Mechanism-based urinary biomarkers to identify the potential for aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity in premature neonates: a proof-of-concept study

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e43809. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043809. Epub 2012 Aug 24.

Abstract

Premature infants are frequently exposed to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Novel urinary biomarkers may provide a non-invasive means for the early identification of aminoglycoside-related proximal tubule renal toxicity, to enable adjustment of treatment and identification of infants at risk of long-term renal impairment. In this proof-of-concept study, urine samples were collected from 41 premature neonates (≤ 32 weeks gestation) at least once per week, and daily during courses of gentamicin, and for 3 days afterwards. Significant increases were observed in the three urinary biomarkers measured (Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1), Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG)) during treatment with multiple courses of gentamicin. When adjusted for potential confounders, the treatment effect of gentamicin remained significant only for KIM-1 (mean difference from not treated, 1.35 ng/mg urinary creatinine; 95% CI 0.05-2.65). Our study shows that (a) it is possible to collect serial urine samples from premature neonates, and that (b) proximal tubule specific urinary biomarkers can act as indicators of aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity in this age group. Further studies to investigate the clinical utility of novel urinary biomarkers in comparison to serum creatinine need to be undertaken.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosaminidase / urine*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / urine
  • Acute-Phase Proteins / urine*
  • Aminoglycosides / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Female
  • Gentamicins / adverse effects
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Lipocalin-2
  • Lipocalins / urine*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / urine*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / urine*
  • Receptors, Virus

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Gentamicins
  • HAVCR1 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1
  • LCN2 protein, human
  • Lipocalin-2
  • Lipocalins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Acetylglucosaminidase