CARBOXYTERMINAL TYPE I PROCOLLAGEN PEPTIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: HIGHER LEVELS IN EARLY DIFFUSE DISEASE

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by increased collagendeposition in skin and internal organs, and increased serumconcentrations of different connective tissue metabolites havebeen reported. In this study serum concentrations of carboxyterminaltype I (PICP) and aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide(PIIINP) were higher in 24 patients with diffuse cutaneous systemicsclerosis (dSSc), than in 30 patients with limited cutaneoussystemic sclerosis (lSSc). Thirty patients with advanced andprogressing disease had higher serum concentrations of bothpeptides than 24 patients with milder disease. In patients withadvanced disease, both peptides showed a negative correlationto disease duration. Despite being relatively higher both inearly, widespread and advanced disease, serum PICP concentrationsvaried only within the normal range for healthy controls. ThusPICP is of limited value as a marker of disease activity inSSc. KEY WORDS: Procollagen peptide, Collagen, Aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide, Scleroderma