title: Elevated serum procollagen type III peptide in splanchnic and peripheral circulation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease submitted to surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the hypothesis that the increased collagen metabolism in the intestinal wall of patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is reflected in the systemic circulation, we aimed the study to evaluate serum level of procollagen III peptide (PIIIP) in peripheral and splanchnic circulation by a commercial radioimmunoassay of patients with different histories of disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients, 17 with Crohn and 10 with ulcerative colitis submitted to surgery were studied. Blood samples were obtained before surgery from a peripheral vein and during surgery from the mesenteric vein draining the affected intestinal segment. Fifteen healthy age and sex matched subjects were studied to determine normal range for peripheral PIIIP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In IBD patients peripheral PIIIP level was significantly higher if compared with controls (5.0 +/- 1.9 vs 2.7 +/- 0.7 microg/l; p = 0.0001); splanchnic PIIIP level was 5.5 +/- 2.6 microg/l showing a positive gradient between splanchnic and peripheral concentrations of PIIIP. No significant differences between groups nor correlations with patients' age and duration of disease were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We provide evidence that the increased local collagen metabolism in active IBD is reflected also in the systemic circulation irrespective of the history of the disease, suggesting that PIIIP should be considered more appropiately as a marker of the activity phases of IBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, IRCCS, University of Milan, V. F. Sforza, 35 - 20122, Milan, Italy. matilde.desimone@unimi.it
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cioffi
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Contessini-Avesani
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oreggia
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paliotti
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierini
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bolla
authors.forename: Elide
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oggiano
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magrini
authors.forename: Michele M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ciulla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000097:blood*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*; D004550:Elbow / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008642:Mesenteric Veins; D008875:Middle Aged; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D024061:Collagen Type III