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.