2.3.6. Summary of Changes in uNGAL

Changes in uNGAL were typically found after long exercise. It seems that uNGAL is frequently increased, but rarely exceeds normal values when normalized to creatinine. Some factors, like environmental temperature, type of cooling and hydration, are related to changes in uNGAL. Interpreting these changes is difficult. Machado found elevated levels of uNGAL in endurance cycling athletes 48 h after exercise and suggested that the increase in uNGAL is related to metabolic adaptation to endurance exercise, or possibly predisposition to acute kidney injury over time [52]. In Bongers' study, uNGAL was elevated after the first day of marching and then decreased, which also suggested some kind of kidney adaptation to exercise [44].
