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. 2016 Oct 12;6(3):31–39. doi: 10.1159/000450621

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, and Soluble Klotho in Long-Term Kidney Donors

Inga Strand Thorsen a,*, Inger Hjørdis Bleskestad a, Grete Jonsson b, Øyvind Skadberg b, Lasse Gunnar Gøransson a,c
PMCID: PMC5122995  PMID: 27920796

Abstract

Background

The best treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is kidney transplantation. Twenty-seven percent of transplantations in Norway are from living donors. Recent studies have shown an increased risk of ESRD and increased mortality in donors. The aim of this study was to determine if the levels of the new biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), soluble Klotho (sKlotho), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) are changed in kidney donors with normal kidney function defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 compared to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 and healthy controls.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, observational, single-center study including 35 kidney donors with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 5 years after donation, 22 patients with CKD stage 3 (eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2), 18 patients with CKD stage 4 (eGFR 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2), 20 patients with CKD stage 5 (eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2), and 35 controls comparing levels of biomarkers in long-term kidney donors with those in CKD patients and healthy controls.

Results

The level of log NGAL was significantly higher in donors than in healthy controls (2.02 ± 0.10 vs. 1.89 ± 0.10 ng/ml; p < 0.001), and the level increased with declining kidney function. The log FGF23 level was nonsignificantly higher in donors than in controls, but it significantly increased with declining kidney function. The log sKlotho levels were significantly lower in patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 than in controls, but no difference was revealed between controls and donors.

Conclusion

Kidney donors have significantly higher levels of NGAL than healthy controls after a median of 15 years (range 5-38). NGAL could be a valuable diagnostic marker in the future. FGF23 and sKlotho were not significantly different between donors and controls.

Key Words: Kidney donors, Biomarkers, Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, Klotho, Fibroblast growth factor 23, Vitamin D, Kidney transplantation

Introduction

In Norway the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is 10.2% according to the second Health Survey of Nord-Trøndelag [1]. The same prevalence is reported from the USA [2]. CKD is characterized by progressive destruction of the renal parenchyma and loss of functional nephrons [3]. Only a group of patients with CKD stages 3-4 develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with the need for dialysis or transplantation [4].

The best treatment for ESRD is kidney transplantation. In 2013, 246 kidney transplantations were performed in Norway, of which 68 (27.6%) were from a living donor [5]. The short- and long-term effects of unilateral nephrectomy on living donors have been an important issue for more than 60 years. A living donor must undergo a medically unnecessary procedure, and safety concerns have always been the focus of attention. The short-term risk is well established with a 0.03% risk of mortality and <1% risk of major morbidity [6]. The loss of renal mass from unilateral nephrectomy in living kidney donors is associated with compensatory changes in the remaining kidney [7], and a rapid compensatory increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the remaining kidney is well documented [8].

Earlier studies claimed that living kidney donors neither have an increase in all-cause mortality nor an increased risk of ESRD compared to the general population. However, donors are selected from a group of very healthy individuals thoroughly screened for conditions such as hypertension and kidney and coronary diseases, and they do not reflect the general population. New studies comparing donors with equally healthy controls indicate an increased risk of metabolic derangements particularly involving calcium homeostasis, kidney failure, and mortality [9,10].

The function of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is largely unknown, but NGAL is associated with cellular stress, acute kidney injury, and CKD [11,12]. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has an important role in calcium-phosphate metabolism, and FGF23 levels rise quickly as kidney function declines [13]. Soluble Klotho (sKlotho) is linked to aging and CKD progression. These biomarkers have a known association with CKD progression, but they are not adequately explored in long-term kidney donors [14]. The aim of this study was to determine if the levels of the new biomarkers NGAL, sKlotho, and FGF23 are changed in kidney donors with normal kidney function defined as an estimated GFR (eGFR) >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 compared to healthy controls and patients with CKD.

Subjects and Methods

The study is a cross-sectional, observational, single-center trial. Donors and patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 were identified in a local database containing all patients visiting the outpatient clinic at the renal unit of Stavanger University Hospital. Patients were included in connection with planned appointments and after giving informed consent. Patients with CKD stage 5 were all recruited from the hemodialysis unit. Patients with severe comorbidity and a limited life expectancy, as well as previously parathyroidectomized patients, were excluded. We included donors with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 to avoid confounding with regard to the levels of the new biomarkers from reduced eGFR, and only patients with a follow-up of >5 years after donor nephrectomy. The time since nephrectomy varied from 5 to 38 years (median 15). We included 35 kidney donors with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2, 22 patients with CKD stage 3 (eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2), 18 patients with CKD stage 4 (eGFR 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2), and 20 patients with CKD stage 5 (eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2).

Thirty-five healthy controls were recruited from among colleagues and friends who regarded themselves as healthy. All patients and controls were older than 18 years. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients, donors, and controls prior to their inclusion. The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Regional Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee Western Norway.

Routine hematological and biochemical analyses, including hemoglobin, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), albumin, and electrolytes, were performed at the hospital's analytical laboratory. Urine samples were analyzed for albumin, creatinine, calcium, and phosphate in all participants except ESRD patients.

NGAL was analyzed in EDTA plasma, whereas 25(OH) vitamin D, sKlotho, and FGF23 were analyzed in serum. Serum and EDTA plasma were separated from blood cells within 1 h after collection by centrifugation for 15 min at 2,500 g at 4°C, and stored in aliquots at −76°C until analysis.

The eGFR was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation [15]. Serum phosphate (reference range: females 0.85-1.44 mmol/l; males 13-49 years 0.78-1.52 mmol/l, ≥50 years 0.69-1.31 mmol/l), total serum calcium (reference range 2.15-2.55 mmol/l), and albumin (reference range: 0-39 years 36-48 g/l, 40-69 years 36-45 g/l, ≥70 years 34-45 g/l) were analyzed using Architect c16000TM (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Ill., USA). Albumin-corrected serum calcium (reference range: females <54 years 2.17-2.52 mmol/l, ≥55 years 2.20-2.62 mmol/l; males 2.17-2.56 mmol/l) was calculated as follows: serum calcium + 0.02 × (41.3 - serum albumin). iPTH (reference range: 1.6-8.5 pmol/l) was determined using an intact PTH assay from Abbott Diagnostics, analyzed on an Architect i2000SR (Abbott Diagnostics).

Serum iFGF23 and sKlotho were measured by commercially available ELISA kits from Kainos Laboratories Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) and IBL (Immuno-Biological Laboratories GmbH, Hamburg, Germany), respectively. Freshly thawed samples were measured in duplicate, and the reproducibility of the methods was monitored by analyzing 3-5 aliquots of a serum control with each assay. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation for sKlotho were <15%, and for iFGF23 they were <7 and <11%, respectively. The level of iFGF23, measured with the Kainos ELISA kit, in 104 healthy adults from Japan was reported to be in the range of 8.2-54.3 ng/l [16], and a reference range of 10-50 ng/l has been suggested based on these results [17]. sKlotho, measured by the IBL ELISA kit in serum from 142 healthy subjects, was reported to range from 239 to 1,266 pg/ml, with a mean of 562 ± 146 pg/ml, in the original publication on the method [18]. Reference ranges for males of 252-652 pg/ml and for females of 177-804 pg/ml in a healthy Danish population were recently published using the same ELISA kit [19]. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D was quantified by liquid-liquid extraction, derivatization with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione reagent (PTAD; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., USA), and analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection [20]. Levels of serum 25(OH) vitamin D are deficient below 50 nmol/l, insufficient between 50 and 75 nmol/l, and sufficient above 75 nmol/l [21]. The NGAL concentration in EDTA plasma was measured with a commercially available ELISA kit, with microwells precoated with a monoclonal antibody raised against human NGAL (KIT 036; Bio-Porto Diagnostics, Gentofte, Denmark). The analyses were performed in accordance with the manufacturer's protocol. Freshly thawed samples were measured in duplicate, and the reproducibility of the method was monitored by analyzing 4 duplicates of a plasma control with each assay. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were <10 and <8%, respectively [22].

The urine samples were analyzed for concentrations of creatinine (reference range: 4.5-20.0 mmol/l), albumin, calcium (reference range: 2.0-9.0 mmol/l), and phosphate. The fractional excretion of phosphate (FePO4) was calculated as follows: (urine phosphate × serum creatinine) × 100/(serum phosphate × urine creatinine). The reference range for FePO4 in healthy subjects is reported to be 0-20% [23]. The fractional excretion of calcium (FeCa3) was calculated as follows: (urine calcium × serum creatinine) × 100/(serum calcium × urine creatinine).

Statistical Analysis

All variables normally distributed are expressed as means ± standard deviations. Other distributed data are expressed as medians and ranges. NGAL, sKlotho, and FGF23 were logarithmically transformed to obtain normal distributions.

The variables were compared by one-way ANOVA. The Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test gave similar results. We used a multiple regression model with the biomarkers NGAL, FGF23, and sKlotho as dependent variables to explore the possible effects of the independent variables age, sex, 25(OH) vitamin D, phosphate, iPTH, albumin-corrected calcium, creatinine, and the other 2 biomarkers on the dependent variables. NGAL, FGF23, and sKlotho were used as dependent variables in 3 different models. We excluded nonsignificant variables using a backward selection model. We performed the analysis on the complete study population to ensure an adequate sample size.

The level of statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0.

Results

The baseline characteristics are given in table 1. The mean age of the controls was significantly lower than that of the other groups, and the mean age of the patients with CKD stage 5 was significantly higher.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics

Group Control (n = 35) Donor (n = 35) CKD stage 3 (n = 22) CKD stage 4 (n = 18) CKD stage 5 (HD) (n = 20) P value
Age, years 43.6 ± 13.1 56.5 ± 9.4 62.7 ± 16.7 61.7 ± 17.1 70.9 ± 16.6 <0.001
Sex – male/female, n 16/19 21/14 15/7 11/7 12/8 0.102
NGAL, ng/ml 97.6 ± 18.3 110.6 ± 31.7 209.2 ± 67.5 459.5 ± 111.3 1,012.6 ± 374.1 <0.001
log NGAL, ng/ml 1.89 ± 0.10 2.02 ± 0.10 2.3 ± 0.15 2.65 ± 0.12 2.98 ± 0.17 <0.001
FGF23, pg/ml 51.8 (25.9–90) 62.6 (6.6–112) 97.5 (44–308) 337.0 (139–11,000) 806.0 (121–16,100) <0.001
sKlotho, pg/ml 725.4 (458–1,222) 669.3 (409–1,161) 597.8 (449–979) 460.8 (288–790) 377.6 (223–784) <0.001
25(OH) vitamin D, nmol/l 58.67 ± 25.2 76.4 ± 17.0 44.01 ± 19.4 53.55 ± 22.5 59.65 ± 29.5 <0.001
eGFR, ml/min/1.73 m2 99.0 ± 13.1 75.8 ± 12.3 43.7 ± 9.8 19.1 ± 5.8 7.3 ± 2.6 <0.001
Creatinine, µmol/l 73.1 ± 12.6 90.3 ± 16.3 141.0 ± 28.1 280.1 ± 84.2 621.2 ± 203.6 <0.001
Albumin-corrected calcium, µmol/l 2.4 ± 0.07 2.41 ± 0.06 2.46± 0.13 2.45 ± 0.13 2.5 ± 0.18 0.006
iPTH, pmol/l 5.82 ± 2.47 7.1 ± 2.29 13.63 ± 13.19 32.73 ± 24.34 47.43 ± 46.86 <0.001
Phosphate, mmol/l 1.12 ± 0.17 1.06 ± 0.19 1.11± 0.16 1.35 ± 0.27 1.46 ± 0.49 <0.001
Urine phosphate, mmol/l 16.4 (2.4–49.9) 25.8 (2.6–50.7) 17.2 (4.1–31.8) 13.7 (6.5–27.8) nn 0.001
Urine calcium, mmol/l 2.84 ± 2.06 1.96 ± 1.09 1.53 ± 1.11 0.77 ± 0.12 nn <0.001
Urine albumin/creatinine, mg/mmol 0.61 (0.18–30.8) 2.3 (0.1–19.9) 21.5 (2.0–2,000.0) 198 (3.3–1,753.0) nn <0.001
FePO4 12.0 (4.0–22.9) 22.7 (3.1–41.9) 30.5 (19.9–56.9) 47.9 (31.6–69.1) nn <0.001
FeCa3 0.84 (0.20–2.5) 0.78 (0.16–1.73) 0.79 (0.35–3.03) 1.13 (0.43–3.15) nn 0.025
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Laboratory results are given as means ± SD of normally distributed data, and as medians (ranges) of non-normally distributed data. p values display differences between groups, using one-way ANOVA for numeric values and the x2 test for the categorical value ‘sex’. Urine values in CKD stage 5 are marked as ‘nn’, because the included patients were on HD and had very limited urine production, which is why no urine samples were obtained. HD = Hemodialysis.

The levels of log NGAL were significantly different between all groups, showing increasing levels with declining kidney function (fig. 1). Post hoc testing showed a significantly higher level of log NGAL in donors than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). Post hoc testing also showed differences between controls and patients with CKD stages 3-5 and between each group of patients with CKD stages 3, 4, and 5. There was no association between NGAL levels and time since nephrectomy, NGAL levels and age, or NGAL levels and 1st-degree relationship between donors and recipients. In a multiple regression analysis using log NGAL as the dependent variable and age, sex, 25(OH) vitamin D, phosphate, iPTH, albumin-corrected calcium, log sKlotho, log FGF23, and creatinine as independent variables, only creatinine remained in the model using a backward selection model.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Boxplot showing the distribution of plasma log NGAL in the different groups. The levels of log NGAL are significantly different between the groups. CKD = Chronic kidney disease.

log FGF23 levels were nonsignificantly higher in donors than in controls - and, as expected, log FGF23 levels increased significantly with declining kidney function. In a multiple regression analysis using log FGF23 as the dependent variable and age, sex, 25(OH) vitamin D, creatinine, phosphate, albumin-corrected calcium, iPTH, log sKlotho, and log NGAL as independent variables, only serum phosphate, albumin-corrected calcium, and iPTH remained in the model using a backward selection model.

There was no difference in log sKlotho levels between controls and kidney donors. log sKlotho levels declined with declining kidney function, and the log sKlotho levels were significantly lower in patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 than in controls. There was no difference in log sKlotho levels between donors and controls. In a multiple regression analysis, there was no association between log sKlotho levels and age, sex, 25(OH) vitamin D, phosphate, iPTH, albumin-corrected calcium, log NGAL, or log FGF23. Creatinine was the only variable remaining in a backward selection model.

The kidney donors had an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2, but the eGFR was significantly lower and creatinine significantly higher than in the control group. In comparison to healthy controls, living kidney donors had significantly higher levels of iPTH (p = 0.03), significantly higher fractional urinary excretion of phosphate (p < 0.001), nonsignificantly lower serum phosphate (p = 0.23), and similar serum calcium levels. The donors also had significantly higher 25(OH) vitamin D levels than all the other groups. 25(OH) vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with CKD stage 3, with 73% of the patients having serum levels <50 nmol/l.

Discussion

Long-term kidney donors with an eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 have significantly increased levels of NGAL compared to controls as well as to patients with CKD stages 3-5 after 5-38 years (median 15). Levels of NGAL and FGF23 have an inverse association with eGFR, and the level of sKlotho declines when the eGFR declines.

NGAL was originally isolated from the supernatant of activated neutrophilic granulocytes [24,25]. NGAL is also produced in other types of tissue, such as the kidneys. The function of NGAL is largely unknown, but NGAL is increased in cells under ‘stress’ - for instance, during infections, inflammation, degeneration, or neoplastic transformation [11]. NGAL is associated with reduced kidney function in patients with CKD [12]. It is also associated with reduced kidney function in kidney transplant patients, and it is increased in stable transplant patients with subclinical tubulitis [26]. Studies of delayed kidney graft function have shown an association between delayed kidney graft function and urinary levels of NGAL and interleukin-18 on the first day after transplantation [27,28]. Interleukin-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine and a marker of oxidative stress [29]. The increased levels of NGAL in our kidney donors may reflect a state of increased cellular ‘stress’ which can induce cardiovascular disease (CVD) and kidney failure.

In a prospective observational cohort study on patients with CKD stage 3 or 4, urinary NGAL was associated with an independent higher risk of death and initiation of renal replacement therapy [30]. In another study, plasma and urinary levels of NGAL were independent predictors of CKD progression even after adjusting for eGFR [31].

The hypothesis called the ‘forest fire theory’ claims that the increase in NGAL in CKD patients is the result of a sustained production of ‘inflamed’ but vital tubular cells, whereas reduced kidney function is a general loss of functional cells and nephrons. NGAL may therefore represent a real-time biomarker for ongoing kidney damage [32].

Immediately following a unilateral nephrectomy, renal blood flow increases by approximately 40%. This is associated with glomerular hypertrophy and an increase in renocortical volume. Adaptive hyperfiltration by the remaining kidney is maintained at a constant level for at least 6-8 years after donation [33]. Renal hyperfiltration is associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension and CVD, and there is an association between renal hyperfiltration and decline in eGFR [34]. This may in part explain the increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among living donors.

In a recent study by Yoon et al. [35], NGAL levels 1 week after donor nephrectomy, but not preoperative NGAL levels, were associated with an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 6 months postoperatively. This supports our hypothesis that increased NGAL levels in kidney donors may be a biomarker for an increased risk of development of CKD.

FGF23 is a phosphaturic hormone with an important role in calcium-phosphate metabolism. FGF23 increases phosphate excretion, and FGF23 levels rise quickly as kidney function declines [13].

Increased levels of FGF23 are associated with increased mortality in hemodialysis patients [36], as well as in patients with CKD stages 2-4 [37] and kidney transplant patients [38]. Increased FGF23 levels combined with a reduced GFR predicts rapid progression toward ESRD [39,40]. Observational studies reported independent associations of elevated serum phosphate and FGF23 levels with risk of ESRD, CVD, and death. Excessive phosphate induces arterial calcification, and increased FGF23 probably reflects the phosphate load of the body [41]. Donor Nephrectomy Outcomes Research (DONOR) Network investigators found increased FGF23 levels 6 months after donation in an unselected group of donors [42]. In our study, the FGF23 levels were nonsignificantly increased in donors compared to controls, probably reflecting the subgroup of donors with well-preserved kidney function or a power problem.

There was no significant difference in levels of sKlotho between donors and controls, probably reflecting a near-normal eGFR in the donors. There was, however, a significant decrease in serum sKlotho in patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 compared to donors. Ever since its discovery about 15 years ago, sKlotho has been linked to reduced kidney function. sKlotho was originally identified as an antiaging protein, but at a later stage it has been shown to possess a number of biological functions [14]. sKlotho is expressed in different organs, but mostly in kidney tissue, especially in the distal tubular cells [43]. sKlotho was reported to be closely associated with CKD progression [44,45,46], but another study found stable sKlotho levels in patients with CKD stages 2-4 [47]. Our results support the work of Pavik et al. [45], with a significant decrease in sKlotho in CKD stages 4 and 5, but it is still unclear if the serum levels of sKlotho reflect tissue Klotho.

Strengths and Limitations

The commercially available methods for the measurement of sKlotho differ in quality; thus, results may be difficult to compare between studies. The IBL kit used in this study showed a within-run variation of 4%, with good agreement between serum and EDTA plasma in a study of the 3 different Klotho assays available [48].

Restriction and matching are the main methods of preventing confounding in an observational cohort study. Restriction is used in this study by having selected kidney donors with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 to reduce confounding by reduced kidney function. We did not perform any matching. To further examine the results, we compared the 15 controls with the lowest eGFR (mean 87 and range 73-96 ml/min/1.73 m2) to the 15 donors with the best eGFR (mean 88 and range 81-103 ml/min/1.73 m2). The NGAL level was nonsignificantly higher in donors than in controls (86 vs. 105 ng/ml), showing a trend toward higher NGAL levels in a small sample. This finding supports - but does not confirm - that the increased level of NGAL in kidney donors is associated with the donation, and is not only the result of reduced postoperative kidney function. If, however, the increase in NGAL in this population of donors is the result of reduced kidney function, NGAL levels may still be important as a biomarker for people at risk of increased morbidity and mortality after donation.

The small number of patients included in this study is a limitation, and prospective studies are needed to evaluate these biomarkers as prognostic markers in kidney donors.

Conclusion

Long-term kidney donors have significantly higher levels of NGAL than healthy controls. This may reflect a partial loss of renal function in kidney donors as compared with a healthy control group. Renal hyperfiltration as a consequence of nephrectomy may induce cellular stress. NGAL is a potential biomarker for predicting donors at increased risk of developing CKD and premature mortality postoperatively. FGF23 levels have an inverse relationship to eGFR, and the level of sKlotho declines when eGFR declines; however, there is no significant difference in sKlotho and FGF23 levels between long-term kidney donors and controls. The hypothesis using NGAL as a prognostic marker for kidney donors should be tested prospectively in a larger cohort.

Authors' Contributions

  • I.S. Thorsen: study design, recruiting patients, data collection, data analysis, and preparing the manuscript

  • I.H. Bleskestad: data analysis and revision of the manuscript

  • G. Jonsson: collecting and analyzing laboratory samples and revision of the manuscript

  • Ø. Skadberg: analyzing laboratory samples and revision of the manuscript

  • L.G. Gøransson: study design, data collection, data analysis, and preparing the manuscript

  • All authors read and approved the final manuscript

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Geir Egil Eide, Biostatistician, PhD, Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, for statistical advice. The study was supported by an educational grant from Stavanger University Hospital and a grant from the Norwegian Society of Nephrology.

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