Significance of serum procollagen-III-peptide in reflecting the therapeutic effects of calcium-channel blockers on hepatic fibrosis

Changes in serum procollagen-III-peptide (PIIIP) and intravenous tryptophan tolerance test (ITT) were studied in 121 patients with liver cirrhosis during a follow-up period of up to 18 months. The patients received either nifedipine (31 cases, 60 mg/day), verapamil (28 cases, 120 mg/day), cinnarizine (29 cases, 150 mg/day) or tetrandrine (33 cases, 150 mg/day). The significant changes were found in ITT in any of the four drugs administrated for over three months. Serum PIIIP concentration decreased significantly in patients under tetrandrine therapy for 18 months (12.06 +/- 3.91 ng/ml vs 16.57 +/- 5.69 ng/ml before treatment). These data suggest that tetrandrine therapy may have favourable effects on hepatic fibrosis and improvement of liver function in liver cirrhosis.