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Human cartilage glycoprotein 39—biomarker of joint damage in knee osteoarthritis

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Abstract

Human glycoprotein of cartilage (YKL-40) synthesises chondrocytes and synovial cells in inflammatory conditions or remodels the outer cell matrix in osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to conduct a parallel analysis between thickness of cartilage and length of osteophytes, ultrasound indicators of joint destruction, with levels of YKL-40 in serum in patients with primary osteoarthritis. Ultrasound findings and concentration of YKL-40(ng/ml) were examined in 88 patients. The average value cartilage thickness measured on medial condyles of the femur was 1.30 ± 0.23 mm and on lateral was 1.39 ± 0.27 mm. Median YKL-40 in patients with shorter osteophytes was 62.0 (44.5–90) ng/ml, and with longer osteophytes was 119 (range 80–171) ng/ml (p = 0.000). YKL-40 can be a marker for the appearance of longer osteophytes (sensitivity = 79.1%; specificity = 61.9%;cut off = 75.0 ng/ml). The duration of illness is very much connected to values of YKL-40 (r = 0.651, p = 0.000). After an illness duration of five years, the concentration of YKL-40 was 83.68 ± 33.65 ng/ml, after ten years it was 138.22 ± 48.88 ng/ml, and after 15 and 20 years it was 209.30 ± 79.36 ng/ml and 218.50 ± 106.51 ng/ml, respectively. Higher concentrations of YKL-40 indicate the level of cartilage destruction and can be used for assessment of destruction.

Résumé

La glycoprotéine YKL-40 est synthétisée par les chondrocytes des cellules synoviales lorsqu’il existe une d’inflammation et un remodelage dans l’arthrose du genou. Le but de cette étude est de faire, en parallèle, une analyse entre l’épaisseur du cartilage et la dimension des ostéophytes, les lésions constatées par échographie ainsi que le taux sérique de YKL-40 dans l’arthrose primaire du genou. L’échographie et la concentration de YKL-40 (ng/ml) ont été examinées chez 88 patients. L’épaisseur moyenne du cartilage a été mesurée au niveau du condyle interne du fémur. Elle était de 1,30 +/–  0,233 mm, au niveau du condyle externe elle était de 1,39 +/– 0,27 mm. Le taux moyen de YKL-40 des patients porteurs d’ostéophytes relativement brefs était de 62,0 (44,5–90)ng/ml, pour des ostéophytes plus longs de 119 (80–171)ng/ml (p = 0,000). Le taux sérique de YKL-40 peut donc être un marqueur de la dimension des ostéophytes avec une sensitivité de 79,1% , une spécificité de 61,9%, et un taux limite de 75,0 ng/ml. La durée de l’évolution de la pathologie est également en relation directe avec les valeurs de YKL-40 (r = 0,651 p = 0,000). Après une durée d’évaluation des lésions de moins de 5 ans la concentration d’YKL-40 est de 83,68 +/– 33,65 ng/ml, après 10 ans de 138,22 +/– 48,88 ng/ml et après 15 et 20 ans de 209,30 +/– 79,36 ng/ml et 218,50 +/– 106,51 ng/ml. Une concentration élevée de YKL-40 est donc un indicateur permettant d’évaluer le niveau de destruction du cartilage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Centre Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia

    Sandra Živanović

  2. Clinique for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Military Medical Academy Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Ljiljana Petrović Rackov

  3. Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Danilo Vojvodić

  4. Institute for Transfusiology, Military Medical Academy Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Dušan Vučetić

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  1. Sandra Živanović
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  2. Ljiljana Petrović Rackov
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  3. Danilo Vojvodić
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  4. Dušan Vučetić
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Correspondence to Sandra Živanović.

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Živanović, S., Rackov, L.P., Vojvodić, D. et al. Human cartilage glycoprotein 39—biomarker of joint damage in knee osteoarthritis. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 33, 1165–1170 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0747-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0747-8

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