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

• Published in: Rheumatology 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
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.02.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adipokines - analysis; Adipokines - blood; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnostic imaging; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - metabolism; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; Female; Humans; Lectins - analysis; Lectins - blood; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Rheumatology; Synovial Fluid - chemistry; Synovial Membrane - pathology; Ultrasonography; YKL-40; Rheumatoid arthritis; Joint sonography
• ISSN: 0172-8172; 1437-160X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00296-012-2387-3

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.