Propeptide levels of procollagen type IV (NC1) and III (PIIINP) in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

In active liver disease and different forms of renal diseases the serum levels of the propeptides of procollagen types IV (NC1) and III (PIIINP) are elevated. The propeptide levels were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in 22 patients undergoing haemodialysis. NC1 concentrations in 6 chronic haemodialysis patients were within normal range (8.2 +/- 2.0 ng/ml). As compared to normal values (8.0 +/- 3 ng/ml), PIIINP concentrations were 10-fold higher in 5 intensive care patients with multi-organ failure and acute renal failure (72.9 +/- 17.9 ng/ml) and 3-fold higher in 11 chronic dialysis patients (24.3 +/- 8.7 ng/ml). Haemodialysis itself had no effect on the elimination of PIIINP. PIIINP might be a valuable marker of acute and chronic increase of collagen turnover in patients undergoing haemodialysis.