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Serum Type III Procollagen Propeptide Levels in Acromegalic Patients^*

Division of Endocrinology Ospedale Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Giuseppe G. Verde, Division of Endocrinology, Ospedale Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, Milan 20159, Italy.

Serum type III procollagen propeptide (PIIIP) is a reliable index of tissue collagen synthesis. Since in acromegaly there is increased collagen production, we measured serum PIIIP in acromegalic patients before any treatment (basal), during medical treatment with the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995, and after pituitary adenomectomy. In all patients, serum GH and plasma somatomedin-C (SmC) levels were also measured. Basal serum PIIIP levels were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in acromegalic patients (mean ± SEM, 22.7 ± 2.1 ng/ml) than in normal subjects(n = 30; 9.7 ± 0.5 ng/ml), and they were significantly correlated with plasma SmC values (r = 0.31; P < 0.05). A significant (P < 0.01) reduction in PIIIP levels occurred i n patients treated with SMS 201-995 or surgery (from 24.3 ±2.7 to 12.4 ± 1 ng/ml) as well as in GH and SmC levels. The maximum percent decrease in serum PIIIP was significantly correlated with those in GH (r = 0.65; P < 0.01) and SmC (r = 0.60; P < 0.01). Serum PIII levels did not change in those patients in whom neither GH nor SmC were decreased by treatment.

In conclusion, serum PIIIP levels are elevated in acromegalic patients, and they decline in parallel with GH and SmC during medical or surgical treatment. Serum PIIIP measurements may be useful in the evaluation of acromegalic patients to gain information on the biological activity of GH and in monitoring the course of the disease.

^* This work was supported by the Special Research Program of the National Research Council "Oncology" (Grant 85.02217.44).

Received May 28, 1986.

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