Biomarkers in acute kidney injury

Abstract

kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Although impressive progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of kidney injury as well as in the clinical care of patients with AKI, outcomes have remained disturbingly static over the last 40 - 50 years. Reliance on current measures of renal dysfunction, such as serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, has contributed to the slow translation of basic science discovery to therapeutically effective approaches in clinical practice. Insensitivity of commonly used biomarkers of renal dysfunction not only prevents timely diagnosis and estimation of injury severity, but also delays administration of putative therapeutic agents. A number of serum and urinary proteins have been identified that may herald AKI prior to a rise in serum creatinine. Further characterization of these candidate biomarkers will clarify their utility and define new diagnostic and prognostic paradigms for AKI, facilitate clinical trials and lead to novel effective therapies. Thus, we are positioned to soon have clinically useful biomarkers which, either alone or in combination, will facilitate earlier diagnosis, earlier targeted intervention, and improved outcomes. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.