The Connection Between Liver Disease and Chitinase Proteins

February 25, 2009 updated by: Hadassah Medical Organization

Chitinase and chitinase like proteins are members of the 18-glycosyl-hydrolase family. Several reports have linked the chitinase 3 like 1 protein with colitis, asthma and liver disease.

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 and prognosis.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

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.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

200

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Jerusalem, Israel
        • Hadassah Medical Organization,

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will include patients with liver disease followed at the liver unit, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem Israel.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with liver disease followed at the liver unit at Hadassah Medical Center.
  • Patients who have given their informed consent for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age<18y.
  • Pregnancy
  • Patients with other conditions associated with elevated chitinase 3 like 1 protein (such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
study group
Patients with liver disease followed at the liver unit at Hadassah Medical Center.
A blood test of about 5ml of blood will be taken to determine Chitinase 3 like-1 protein levels.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Comparison between Chitinase 3 like-1 protein levels and liver disease parameters including disease severity, portal hypertension, reaction to treatment and prognosis.
Time Frame: 5 years
5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

March 1, 2009

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

March 1, 2010

Study Completion (Anticipated)

March 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 25, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 25, 2009

First Posted (Estimate)

February 26, 2009

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 26, 2009

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 25, 2009

Last Verified

February 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 481132-HMO-CTIL

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