LCN2 and chronic kidney disease: Although plasma NGAL levels are strongly influenced by inflammatory states or the existence of chronic kidney disease (this study confirming this observation – NGAL levels before transplantation were high, being comparable to those detected in the DGF group: 662.7 ± 97.2 ng/ml vs. 632 ± 84 ng/ml), this marker was useful in predicting functional recovery.