YKL-40, a biomarker of inflammation, is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes and is related to insulin resistance

Abstract.

Objective and design. YKL-40 participates in inflammatory states and vascular processes, which implies that comparison can be made with other inflammatory markers associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In the present study levels of plasma YKL-40 and serum hsCRP were evaluated in patients with T2D.

Materials and methods. Patients with T2D and age-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Insulin resistance was estimated using HOMA-IR model. Biochemical parameters were measured in venous blood after a 10 h fast.

Results. Patients with T2D were insulin resistant (p < 0.001) and had raised levels of plasma YKL-40 (p < 0.001) and serum hsCRP (p < 0.001). YKL-40 was correlated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.23, p < 0.01), NEFA (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (r = 0.24, p < 0.05). YKL-40 and hsCRP were not correlated (r = 0.17, p = NS). All participants with hsCRP < 1 mg/l had higher insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). HsCRP were predicted by HOMA-IR and BMI (r² = 0.48, p < 0.01). Plasma YKL-40 was predicted by HOMA-IR and triglycerides (r² = 0.27, p < 0.01).

Conclusions. YKL-40 and hsCRP are elevated in patients with T2D and are related to insulin resistance. No correlation was found between YKL-40 and hsCRP indicating that increased levels of YKL-40 occur independently from elevated plasma hsCRP.