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

Received December 20, 2011 Revised March 1, 2012 Accepted March 3, 2012 Address for correspondence Jae-Hoon Lee, MD Department of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, 895 Muwang-ro, Iksan 570-711, Korea Tel +82-63-859-1441 Fax +82-63-841-6556 E-mail coolnose@wmc.wonkwang. ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZChitin 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 MethodZZThe 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. ResultsZZThe 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. ConclusionZZThere is no association between the YKL-40 level in the blood and nasal lavage fluid, allergic inflammation in nasal cavity. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2012;55:161-5