Inflammatory marker YKL-40 levels in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology 2019-07, Vol.35 (7), p.635-637
• Main Authors: Temel Yüksel, İlkbal, Aslan Çetin, Berna, Köroğlu, Nadiye, Aydoğan Mathyk, Begüm, Erdem, Baki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Bilirubin - blood; Biomarkers - blood; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 - blood; cholestasis; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic - blood; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; inflammation; liver; Liver Function Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - blood; YKL-40; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2018.1563889

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a diagnosis of exclusion and presents with unexplained pruritus, abnormal liver function tests, and increased serum bile acid levels, particularly in the third trimester of pregnancy. Serum YKL-40 levels are increased in liver diseases and our aim was to investigate YKL-40 levels in pregnant women with ICP. 40 women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and 40 healthy pregnant women were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum YKL-40 levels were measured in both groups and correlation analysis were performed between the YKL-40 and other liver function tests. Serum YKL-40 concentrations were higher in the intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy group than in the control group (103.46 ± 53.03 vs. 57.60 ± 30.30 ng/ml, p = .002). The cutoff YKL-40 serum concentration was 84.80 ng/ml for the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. There was no correlation between fasting bile acids and YKL-40 levels. However, there was a significant positive correlation between the YKL-40 levels and aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.22, p = .04) and alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.24, p = .02). Raised YKL-40 levels might support the evidence on inflammatory processes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.