Clinical Significance of a Hydroxyproline-containing Protein in Human Plasma*

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Abstract
Measurements of a hydroxyproline-con- taining, collagen-like protein (hyproprotein) in human plasma have been carried out in 101 normal persons ranging from newborn to 93 years of age and in 146 patients with a variety of diseases. In comparison with reported levels of hydroxyproline peptide excretion, plasma hyproprotein levels were found to be remarkably constant in normal subjects regardless of age, although levels in infants and adolescents are slightly higher than in children and adults. Elevated levels of plasma hyproprotein were seen in association with a number of disorders, the most striking being in Hodgkin''s disease. The possible significance of this protein as an index of collagen metabolism is discussed.