The Connection Between Liver Disease and Chitinase Proteins

Chitin is a poly saccharide, abundant in insects, fungi, crustaceans and other organisms, but not in mammals. Chitinases and chitinase like proteins (which have the ability to bind chitin without enzymatic activity) are members of the 18-glycosyl-hydrolase family. Their function and importance are still not clearly understood. However, several reports have linked the chitinase 3 like 1 protein with colitis and asthma. Furthermore, Johansen et al have reported elevated levels of chitinase 3 like 1 protein in patients with liver disease, mainly those with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and fibrosis. This report consisted of 51 patients with ALD ,but only 16 and 17 patients with fatty liver and viral hepatitis respectively.

This study aims to evaluate the correlation of chitinase 3 like 1 protein with clinical parameters such as disease severity, reaction to treatment, portal hypertension (when measured) and prognosis.

***Study design:

a. Subjects i.The study will include patients with liver disease followed at the liver unit, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem. b. Planned number i.The study is planned to include 200 volunteers. c. Inclusion criteria i.Patients with liver disease followed at the liver unit at Hadassah Medical Center. ii.Patients who have given their informed consent for participation in the study. d. Exclusion criteria i.Age<18y. ii.Pregnancy iii.Patients with other conditions associated with elevated chitinase 3 like 1 protein (such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis). e. Chitinase 3 like-1 protein levels will be measured by a commercially available kit (Human Chitinase 3-like 1 Quantikine ELISA Kit, catalogue number - DC3L1, Biotest LTD). f. Stopping/modifying criteria i.At subjects' request. g. Trial entry and enrollment i.A consecutive cohort will be recruited form amongst the patients followed at the liver unit in Hadassah medical center. Jerusalem Israel. ii.Consenting patients will have a blood test drawn for chitinase 3 like 1 protein levels. iii.Clinical details of each patient will be obtained form the liver unit. iv.In addition to the routine follow up at the liver unit, follow up will be performed at 1,2 and 5 years. h. Statistical considerations i.Subjects will be grouped according to their clinical properties (disease, treatment, severity, portal hypertension) ii.Chitinase 3 like 1 protein levels will be compared between each group. F. Informed consent i.Each subject will be enrolled and enter the study only after giving an informed consent. G. Adherence to study eligibility i.The study will be conducted in accordance with good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines, and the study protocol. H. Safeguarding of documents i.The privacy of the subjects and all confidentiality issues will be handled in accordance with applicable law and guidelines of the institution and the Helsinki Committee, the Israeli ministry of health, or the other appropriate regulatory authorities.