Serum YKL-40 levels and chitotriosidase activity in patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

YKL-40 association with human disease has been the object of many years of investigation. β-thalassemia patients are affected by hepatic siderosis, which determines a fibrotic process and tissue remodelling. Chitotriosidase has been found to be increased in thalassemic patients returning to normal in patients submitted to bone marrow transplantation. YKL-40 is associated with macrophage activation in liver and in other tissues. The aim of the study was to analyse the level of serum YKL-40 and plasma chitotriosidase activity of patients with beta-thalassemia to assess whether their expression correlates with liver disease and degree of liver siderosis.

METHODS:

Expression of YKL-40 and chitotriosidase as a marker of inflammation in 69 thalassemic patients were evaluated. We sought to investigate whether these two chitinases could be considered as a significant biomarker to evaluate therapy effectiveness.

RESULTS:

Surprisingly we found normal value of YKL-40. We, also, analysed chitotriosidase activity in the same patients that was slightly increased as a consequence of macrophage activation.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data would suggest a good treatment for these patients.

• Authors: Maria Musumeci, Vincenzo Caruso, Emilia Medulla, Venerando Torrisi, Roberta Migale, Silvia Angeletti, Salvatore Musumeci
• Journal: Disease markers (Dis Markers) Vol. 2014 Pg. 965971 ( 2014) ISSN: 1875-8630 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24808626 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adipokines
• Biomarkers
• CHI3L1 protein, human
• Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
• Iron Chelating Agents
• Lectins
• Ferritins
• Hexosaminidases
• chitotriosidase

Topics

• Adipokines (blood)
• Adult
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Case-Control Studies
• Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
• Female
• Ferritins (blood)
• Hexosaminidases (blood)
• Humans
• Iron Chelating Agents (therapeutic use)
• Lectins (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome
• beta-Thalassemia (blood, drug therapy, enzymology)