Increased serum concentrations of the carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of collagen type I in patients with Gram-negative septicaemia

The authors determined serum levels of the carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (ICTP and PICP) in 18 patients with Gramnegative septicaemia before (day 0) and 28 days after therapy and in 18 age- and sex-matched controls by radioimmunoassay. Elevated levels of ICTP were observed in septicaemic patients [median (range): 15 (7–49) μg L⁻¹ before therapy and 14 (6–45) μg L⁻¹ 28 days after therapy vs. 2.1 (1.4–4.3) μg L⁻¹ in normal subjects; P  < 0.01 for both], whereas PICP levels were not different between patients and controls [median (range): 119 (52–275) μg L⁻¹ (day 0) and 133 (79–288) μg L⁻¹ (day 28) vs. 91 (54–213) μg L⁻¹ in normal subjects, P  > 0.05 for all]. The findings suggest an increased production or release of ICTP in Gram-negative septicaemia, presumably owing to an alteration of extracellular matrix during septicaemia-related vascular inflammation.