Serum YKL-40 as a marker of disease activity and stricture formation in patients with Crohn's disease


Erzin Y., Uzun H., Karatas A., Celik A. F.

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, cilt.23, sa.8, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

Özet

Background and Aim: YKL-40 is secreted by macrophages and neutrophils and is a growth factor for vascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Elevated serum levels of YKL-40 have been reported in patients with various inflammatory conditions and ongoing fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum concentrations of YKL-40 and disease activity, acute phase reactants, and the presence of strictures in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).