Relationship between sonographic parameters and YKL-40 levels in rheumatoid arthritis

YKL-40, also known as human cartilage glycoprotein 39, is a member of the “mammalian chitinase-like proteins” family without chitinase activity. Increased serum concentrations are associated with inflammatory processes and several types of cancer. In this study, we evaluated YKL-40 levels in serum a...

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Published inRheumatology international Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 341 - 346
Main Authors Kazakova, Maria, Batalov, Anastas, Deneva, Tanya, Mateva, Nonka, Kolarov, Zlatimir, Sarafian, Victoria
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.02.2013
Springer Nature B.V
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Summary:YKL-40, also known as human cartilage glycoprotein 39, is a member of the “mammalian chitinase-like proteins” family without chitinase activity. Increased serum concentrations are associated with inflammatory processes and several types of cancer. In this study, we evaluated YKL-40 levels in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison with the ultrasonographic findings. YKL-40 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 25 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and in 40 healthy subjects. B mode and power Doppler were performed to determine synovial thickening and vascularization. Serum YKL-40 level in patients was significantly higher than the concentration in healthy controls ( P  < 0.01). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the level of the glycoprotein in synovial fluid was remarkably elevated compared to the serum level ( P  = 0.003). The B mode and power Doppler scores correlated to YKL-40 in serum and synovial fluid ( P  = 0.07). Serum YKL-40 levels were related positively to serum markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein ( P  = 0.004) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( P  = 0.003). This study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between YKL-40 levels and ultrasonographic examinations in Bulgarian patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings suggest that YKL-40 might be implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease and could indicate the level of joint inflammation.
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ISSN:0172-8172
1437-160X
DOI:10.1007/s00296-012-2387-3