Plasma YKL-40: A New Potential Marker of Fibrosis in Patients with Alcoholic Cirrhosis?

Abstract

The increased plasma YKL-40 in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis may reflect the remodelling of liver fibrosis.

YKL-40 Induces IL-8 Expression from Bronchial Epithelium via MAPK (JNK and ERK) and NF-κB Pathways, Causing Bronchial Smooth Muscle Proliferation and Migration

“…Other studies showed that serum YKL-40 level was positively related to the degree of liver fibrosis, and staining of YKL-40 was higher in areas with fibrosis, particularly in areas with active fibrogenesis (20,21). Along this line, it is possible that YKL-40 also plays a role in the tissue-remodeling process of asthma.…”

Progression of fibrosis in hepatitis C with and without schistosomiasis

“…In prior studies, YKL-40 has been shown to be an excellent marker in active alcoholic liver disease. 28,41 Because we are using the markers for monitoring disease, the absolute levels are not as important as the rate of increase over time, and certainly YKL-40 and TGF-␤ in individuals show excellent sensitivity to disease progression. In fact, in the validation cohort, the sensitivity and specificity of YKL-40 for predicting disease progression was greater than 95% and represents one of the first cohort studies to really use longitudinal markers of serum fibrosis.…”

“…[27][28][29][30] Schistosomiasis is a chronic helminthic disease infecting more than 200 million people worldwide. 31 Concomitant schistosomiasis and HCV infection is common in many developing countries 32,33 and exhibits a unique clinical, virological, and histological pattern manifested by virus persistence with high HCV RNA titers, higher necroinflammatory and fibrosis scores in liver biopsies, and poor response to interferon therapy.…”

YKL-40 as a Marker of Joint Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…For example, hypoglycemia (7 ) or physical exercise (8 ) are potent physiologic stressors, whereas fear (9 ), feelings of inferiority (10,11 ), or experiences at school (12,13 ) can affect the adrenal cortex activity as psychologic stressors. The taking of blood can also influence adrenal steroid concentrations in children; saliva collection, however, is almost stress-free (14 ).…”