Serum levels of N-terminal type III procollagen peptide in normal subjects and comparison to hepatic fibrosis

Abstract

Serum levels of N-terminal type III procollagen peptide in normal subjects were determined by radio-immunoassay.
The levels of the peptide are greater in infants from 0 to 3 year age for boys and girls, 8 to 12 year age for girls and 12 to 16 year age for boys than in adults.
This fact seems to suggest that increased levels of the peptide reflect the accelerated collagen synthesis in human body.
Comparison of serum levels of the peptide with the degree of hepatic fibrosis revealed that the concentration of the peptide increased in parallel with the progress of hepatic fibrosis.