N-terminal procollagen peptide and beta 2-microglobulin in synovial fluids from inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint diseases.

The concentrations of NH2-terminal procollagen peptide were determined radioimmunologically in synovial fluids from inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint diseases. The mean concentrations +/- SD were 1.39 +/- 0.77 and 1.13 +/- 0.63 mg/l and, hence, did not reveal significant differences. Compared with serum, peptide levels in synovial fluids are 10(3) times higher. No statistical correlation was found between procollagen peptide levels and the concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin, a suggested parameter of disease activity, and other established indicators (total protein, total and differential cell count) of inflammatory activity.