Biomarkers : biochemical indicators of exposure, response, and susceptibility to chemicals
-
Urinary α-glutathione S-transferase (α-GST) and π-glutathione S-transferase (π-GST) are promising proximal and distal tubular leakage markers for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ In patients with an established diagnosis of AKI, a single urinary π-GST measurement performed better than α-GST at predicting dialysis requirement or death, but neither marker had good prognostic discrimination.
-
Endocrine alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis are one of the first measurable physiological changes in cerebral insults. During acute stress, human growth hormone (GH) is stimulated and has shown to have a prognostic value in various diseases. Within this pilot study, we evaluated the prognostic value of GH in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ⋯ In our small cohort of patients with acute ICH, elevated GH level were associated with increased mortality and worse outcome. If confirmed in a larger study, GH levels may be used as an additional prognostic factor in ICH patients. (ClincalTrials.gov number NCT00390962).
-
Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a common serious clinical problem. Up to date mortality due to AKI, especially in intensive care units, has not been changed significantly over the past 50 years. This is partly due to a delay in initiating renal protective and appropriate therapeutic measures since until now there are no reliable early-detecting biomarkers. The gold standard, serum creatinine, displays poor specificity and sensitivity with regard to recognition of the early period of AKI. ⋯ Adequately powered clinical trials testing a row of biomarkers are warranted before they may qualify for full adoption in clinical practice.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Is mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MRproANP) an accurate marker of bacteremia in pyelonephritis?
Mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MRproANP) increases during systemic infections and could possibly correlate with bacteremia. ⋯ Although MRproANP increased in bacteremic patients with acute pyelonephritis, results of likelihood ratios discarded its use at bedside to predict bacteremia.