HUMAN CARTILAGE GLYCOPROTEIN 39 (YKL-40): A VIEW IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background:  Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Type 2 diabetes causes the combination of resistance to insulin action and an inadequate compensatory insulin secretory response. The degree of hyperglycemia sufficient to cause pathologic and functional changes in various target tissues, but without clinical symptoms, may be present for a long period of time before diabetes is detected.  Long-term complications of diabetes include retinopathy with potential loss of vision; nephropathy leading to renal failure; peripheral neuropathy with risk of foot ulcers, amputations, and Charcot joints; and autonomic neuropathy causing gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and cardiovascular symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular, peripheral arterial, and cerebrovascular complications. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the association between plasma human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) in type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and methods: Thirty type 2 diabetic patients with the age group of 35 to 50 years were selected for this study and 30 age matched healthy individuals were selected as a control group. Plasma YKL-40 was assessed by ELISA method and routine investigations was done fully automated analyzer. Results: The mean levels of Plasma YKL-40 was significantly increased in diabetic patients compared with controls. Plasma YKL-40 was positively correlated with HbA1c. Conclusion:  Plasma YKL-40 might be useful to detect early stages of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in T2DM patients. Hence measurement of plasma YKL-40 could be useful diagnostic marker for the assessment of vascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients.