Abstract

It has been suggested that elevated serum level of YKL-40 could be a risk factor as well as early marker of both type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and their complications. We investigated the correlation between serum level of YKL-40 and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as well as urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) in type 1 diabetic patients. A total of 49 patients with T1D and 43 healthy controls underwent the assessment of serum level of YKL-40 (by ELISA) and cIMT measurement (by Doppler ultrasonography). Fasting blood and urine samples were also taken to measure the levels of hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile, CBC, serum and urine creatinine, and urine albumin. Serum levels of YKL-40, cIMT, and UACR were significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to those in healthy people (P<0.001). Serum levels of YKL-40 had a significant correlation with cIMT, and duration of diabetes. We report that YKL-40 may be a good prognostic as well as diagnostic marker of early macrovascular complications in T1D.