Role of Biomarkers in the Early Detection of Renal Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major global health problem associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Conventional diagnostic markers such as serum creatinine and urine output often fail to detect kidney injury at early stages. Therefore, the identification of accurate biomarkers for early detection has become an important focus in nephrology research. Among the emerging biomarkers, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1) have shown considerable promise in identifying renal injury at early stages. These biomarkers are rapidly released following renal tubular damage and can be detected in urine within a few hours after injury. Their high sensitivity and specificity allow earlier diagnosis compared with traditional indicators.

This chapter discusses the role of novel biomarkers, including NGAL, KIM-1, IL-18, and L-FABP, in the early detection of renal injury and highlights their potential clinical applications in improving diagnosis, monitoring, and management of AKI.