Serum chitotriosidase and YKL-40 in acute pancreatitis: Reliability as prognostic marker for disease severity and correlation with inflammatory markers

YKL-40 as a biomarker in various inflammatory diseases: A review

YKL-40 or Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 (CHI3L1) is a highly conserved glycoprotein that binds heparin and chitin in a non-enzymatic manner. It is a member of the chitinase protein family 18, subfamily A, and unlike true chitinases, YKL-40 is a chitinase-like protein without enzymatic activity for chitin. Although its accurate function is yet unknown, the pattern of its expression in the normal and disease states suggests its possible engagement in apoptosis, inflammation and remodeling or degradation of the extracellular matrix. During an inflammatory response, YKL-40 is involved in a complicated interaction between host and bacteria, both promoting and attenuating immune response and potentially being served as an autoantigen in a vicious circle of autoimmunity. Based on its pathophysiology and mechanism of action, the aim of this review was to summarize research on the growing role of YKL-40 as a persuasive biomarker for inflammatory diseases' early diagnosis, prediction and follow-up (e.g., cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrinological, immunological, musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, urinary, infectious) with detailed structural and functional background of YKL-40.

The diagnostic value of calcium binding protein S100A8/A9 and S100A12 in acute pancreatitis

Background: S100A8/A9 and S100A12 which are the major calcium-binding proinflammatory proteins secreted by granulocytes, has been proposed to be related to distinct disease states of inflammatory origin. This study aims to explore the circulating levels of S100A8/A9 and S100A12 in acute pancreatitis (AP) and reveal their relationship with conventional inflammatory markers. Material and Method: Serum S100A8/A9 and S100A12 were determined in AP patients (male/female: 17/13) by using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method at both onset and remission and in 30 healthy controls (male/female: 17/13). Results: Significantly higher S100A8/A9 and S100A12 levels were found in AP patients compared to healthy controls (p