Role of interleukin-18 as a new bio-marker for acute kidney injury

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) "or acute renal failure (ARF), as it was previously termed" is defined as an abrupt or rapid decline in renal filtration function. This condition is usually marked by a rise in serum creatinine concentration or by azotemia (a rise in blood urea nitrogen [BUN] concentration). However, immediately after a kidney injury, BUN or creatinine levels may be normal, and the only sign of a kidney injury may be decreased urine production. AKI may be classified into 3 general categories, as follows:-Prerenal: As an adaptive response to severe volume depletion and hypotension, with structurally intact nephrons. Intrinsic: In response to cytotoxic, ischemic, or inflammatory insults to the kidney, with structural and functional damage.