Proteins from the 18 glycosyl hydrolase family are associated with kidney dysfunction in patients with diabetes type 2.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate chitotriosidase (CHIT1) activity and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) concentration in plasma of type 2 diabetic patients and evaluate their relationship with kidney dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

94 diabetic subjects and 33 controls were enrolled in the study. Plasma CHIT1 activity and YKL-40 concentration were measured along with routine laboratory parameters.

RESULTS

Levels of CHIT1 and YKL-40 in plasma of type 2 diabetic patients increased progressively with the degree of albuminuria. CHIT1 discriminated normoalbuminuric subjects from those with abnormal albuminuria better than YKL-40.

CONCLUSIONS

CHIT1represent a supportive biomarker connected with development of diabetic vascular complications, especially kidney dysfunction.