Serum YKL-40 Levels and Chitotriosidase Activity in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major. (7th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Musumeci, Maria; Caruso, Vincenzo; Medulla, Emilia; Torrisi, Venerando; Migale, Roberta; Angeletti, Silvia; Musumeci, Salvatore
• Other Names: Huang Yi-Chia Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Disease markers. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-04-07
• Subjects: Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/965971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-0240

Abstract

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.