The Usefulness as a Specific Marker of Blood and Nasal Lavage Fluid YKL-40 in Allergic Rhinitis Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chitin is a recognition element for tissue infiltration by innate cells implicated in allergy and asthma. Chitinases are characterized by the ability to cleave chitin. YKL-40, the chitinase-like protein, was increased during Th2-type inflammation in an exaggerated manner in tissues of patients with asthma. However, the relationship of YKL-40 level to allergic rhinitis has not been evaluated. Hence, we evaluated the relationship between the YKL-40 level in the blood and nasal lavage fluid and allergic inflammation in nasal cavity. We also evaluated the nature of association between several important factors (eosinophil count and total IgE) in the blood and nasal lavage fluid of allergic rhinitis patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The concentrations of the YKL-40 levels in the blood and nasal lavage fluid were compared between allergic rhinitis patients and healthy controls. We evaluated the YKL-40 levels in the blood and nasal lavage fluid and also evaluated symptom severity, eosinophil count, and total IgE. RESULTS: The blood YKL-40 level was not significantly increased in allergic rhinitis (49 pg/mL) than in control (44 pg/mL)(p>0.05). The YKL-40 levels in the nasal lavage fluid was not significantly increased in allergic rhinitis (1568 pg/mL) than in control (1248 pg/mL)(p>0.05). The YKL-40 levels in blood and nasal lavage fluid were not associated with important factors such as symptom severity, eosinophil count, and total IgE in allergic rhinitis patients. CONCLUSION: There is no association between the YKL-40 level in the blood and nasal lavage fluid, allergic inflammation in nasal cavity.