title: Serum levels of type III procollagen peptide and peripheral vascular disease in diabetic patients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the possible relationship between serum levels of Type III procollagen peptide (PIIINP) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in diabetic patients. Ninety Type 2 diabetic patients being treated with sulfonylureas, and 37 non-diabetic subjects were studied using Doppler ultrasound. After an overnight fast, blood was taken for PIIINP, glucose, glucosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), C-peptide, and lipids. Data were analysed according to the non-paired Student's t-test and the correlation coefficient, after log transformation. PIIINP levels were significantly elevated in diabetics with PVD (n = 44), 4.3 micrograms/l (2.4-7.6, 95% confidence limits) compared with controls 3.1 micrograms/l (1.9-4.9), P < 0.001, and with diabetics without PVD (n = 46), 3.1 micrograms/l (1.9-5.0), P < 0.001. No correlation was found between PIIINP and HbA1, glucose, C-peptide, age or duration of diabetes. We conclude that PIIINP levels are elevated in Type 2 diabetics with PVD. It may reflect an increase in collagen deposition in the large arteries that accompanies the development of macroangiopathy.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Internal Medicine II, NIMTS Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Migdalis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalogeropoulou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zachariadis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koutoulidis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samartzis
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide