[Serum type III procollagen in dilated cardiomyopathy]

A radioimmunoassay study of procollagen type III end protein (PEP) was conducted in the serum of 11 patients with confirmed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) and 9 patients with coronary heart disease. For DCMP patients PEP levels averaged 8.8 +/- 7.9 micrograms/l, for coronary patients 4.4 +/- 1.6 micrograms/l, in donors 1.7 +/- 1.4 micrograms/l. Thus, the difference between DCMP and coronary patients, donors appeared significant (p less than 0.05). PEP concentrations over 4.5 micrograms/l occurred in 54% of DCMP patients. Growing of PEP turned out most substantial in severe disease (circulatory failure stage IIB-III, pulmonary thromboembolism). Determination of PEP is thought valid for laboratory diagnosis of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. The discussion covers possible causes and mechanisms underlying high production of PEP from the view point of impaired collagen production.