[Evaluation of ischemia-modified albumin in obstructive renal injury.]

OBJECTIVES This study was aimed at assessing the ability of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) to predict renal injury by associating biochemical, functional, and pathological findings with various degrees of ureteral obstruction. METHODS Twenty-four rats were randomized into three groups, and their blood was sampled to determine the creatinine and IMA values and renal scintigraphy was done at the start and on postoperative day 7. In the sham group, the ureter was untouched; in the partial group, the ureter was gently embedded into the psoas muscle; and in the complete group, the ureter was compathologically, and all parameters were statistically evaluated. RESULTS IMA was significantly associated with functional changes, creatinine values, and pathology scores (r = -0.729, r = 0.771, r = 0.827 respectively; p < 0.001). The postoperative IMA values of the partial and complete group were significantly higher than the respective preoperative values (p < 0.001, p < 0.001; p < 0.05, respectively). Additionally, the postoperative IMA values of the complete group were significantly higher than that of the sham and partial groups (p < 0.001, p = 0.001; p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS IMA, which is strongly associated with renal functional and pathological variations, appears to be a valuable parameter for predicting renal injury and may warn clinicians before the irreversible phases of obstructive uropathy occur. More extensive studies with human participants may prove advantageous.