LCN2 and cardiac hypertrophy: In fact, adipose expression of NGAL is up-regulated in experimental models of obesity and insulin resistance as well as in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese humans, by virtue of its ability to bind to fatty acids and steroids and elevated serum levels of NGAL have been observed in certain forms of cardiac hypertrophy, coronary artery disease and acute heart failure [26].