Evaluation of YKL-40 Serum Level in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Its Correlation with Their Metabolic and Renal Conditions

Abstract

Background: The main indicator of long-term glycemic control in type 1 diabetes and its complications is glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Considering that there are little studies on the correlation of YKL-40 with HbA1C in type 1 diabetes, we evaluated such correlation to suggest YKL-40 as both diagnostic and prognostic marker of type 1 diabetes poor control and nephropathy. Methods: 49 patients of type 1 diabetes not suffering from any diabetic complications during recent 5 years and 43 sex- and age-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Taking fasting blood and urine samples, we measured CBC, serum levels of YKL-40, HbA1c, creatinine, lipids, and urinary concentration of albumin and creatinine using standard laboratory methods. Results: Serum level of YKL-40 was significantly higher in type 1 diabetes compared to controls (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between such levels and HbA1c (P = 0.99) in type 1 diabetic patients. There was a strong positive correlation between YKL-40 and duration of the disease (P < 0.001). We found no significant correlation between serum level of YKL-40 and other factors including urine/albumin creatinine ratio (UACR), blood pressure, lipid profile, and serum and urine creatinine. Conclusions: Although there was a significant increase in serum level of YKL-40 in type 1 diabetic patients, it did not show any correlation with both metabolic and nephropathic states of diabetes.