Chondrex (YKL-40), a potential new serum fibrosis marker in patients with alcoholic liver disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Chondrex (YKL-40) is a mammalian member of a protein family that includes bacterial chitinases. The pattern of its expression in certain tissues such as human liver or cartilage suggests a function in remodelling or degradation of extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to assess whether circulating YKL-40 might be a serum fibrosis marker in alcoholics.

METHODS:

Plasma YKL-40 was determined in 146 consecutive heavy drinkers (106 men, 40 women; mean age, 49.2 +/- 9.0 years). Liver biochemical parameters and serum fibrosis markers such as hyaluronate were also measured. Fibrosis and inflammation in liver biopsy were evaluated using a semi-quantitative scoring system.

RESULTS:

Plasma YKL-40 increased in parallel with the severity of fibrosis (P<0.00001). YKL-40 also increased in the presence of hepatic inflammation (P<0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curves of Chondrex revealed that a threshold of 330 microg/l gave a specificity of 88.5%; however, the sensitivity was only 50.8%. Only 11.5% of patients without severe fibrosis displayed a Chondrex plasma level above this threshold. A positive correlation was found between Chondrex and hyaluronate (r=0.40, P<0.0001), and a negative correlation was shown between Chondrex and the prothrombin index (r=-0.37, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The severity of liver fibrosis is associated with elevated circulating Chondrex levels. The overlap in YKL-40 values prevents use of Chondrex in a screening programme. High levels of Chondrex (above 330 microg/l) are predictive of severe liver fibrosis. Increased plasma YKL-40 may reflect the remodelling of liver fibrosis in alcoholics.

• Authors: A Tran, S Benzaken, M C Saint-Paul, E Guzman-Granier, P Hastier, C Pradier, E M Barjoan, N Demuth, F Longo, P Rampal
• Journal: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 12 Issue 9 Pg. 989-93 (Sep 2000) ISSN: 0954-691X [Print] England
• PMID: 11007134 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adipokines
• Autoantigens
• Biomarkers
• CHI3L1 protein, human
• Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
• Glycoproteins
• Lectins

Topics

• Adipokines
• Autoantigens (blood)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Biopsy
• Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
• Female
• Glycoproteins (blood)
• Humans
• Lectins
• Liver (pathology)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic (blood, classification, diagnosis)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Severity of Illness Index