Three serum markers of collagen biosynthesis in Nigerians with cirrhosis and various infectious diseases

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serum immunoreactive prolyl hydroxylase protein, galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase activity and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (S-Pro-[III]-N-P) were measured in 20 patients with cirrhosis and 90 with various infectious diseases; and the values were compared with those in 60 apparently healthy Nigerians. The means for all 3 markers were elevated significantly in the patients with cirrhosis (P < 0.001), acute viral hepatitis (P < 0.001), amoebic liver abscess (P < 0.001) and the early stages of Schistosoma mansoni infection (P < 0.001 for S4-Pro[III]-N-P, P < 0.005 for the 2 other markers). The mean S-Pro(III)-N-P was also distinctly elevated during the early stages of S. haematobium infection (P < 0.01) and filariasis (P < 0.001); none of the 3 markers was elevated during an acute attack of malaria. Significant correlations were found between the values for the 3 markers within the groups of patients with cirrhosis, amoebic liver abscess and schistosomiasis, the correlations for the pooled group of all patients being highly significant (P < 0.001). Apparently, elevated hepatic collagen formation is found not only in cirrhosis but also in several infectious diseases. The 3 serum markers may be useful for showing the stages of active collagen formation in various liver diseases and for predicting the development of fibrosis in acute cases if the values remain elevated.