Summary
Markers of types I and III collagen turnover were measured in serial blood samples in 16 patients with a Colles' fracture. The collagen markers were the carboxy-terminal extension peptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and the amino-terminal extension peptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP). Significant increases were found of PIIINP within 1 week and of PICP within 2 weeks. This sequential appearance of PIIINP and PICP was found to be in agreement with the appearance of types III and I collagen during early fracture healing as demonstrated in previous animal experimental studies. PICP had levelled off after 9 months, whereas PIIINP remained elevated. Osteocalcin, a serum marker of osteoblast activity, increased within 1 week and levelled off after 9 months. Correlations betwen the change in osteocalcin and those in PICP and PIIINP, respectively, were weak. These new biochemical markers may prove relevant as non-invasive markers of normal and pathological fracture healing in humans.
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Joerring, S., Jensen, L.T., Andersen, G.R. et al. Types I and III procollagen extension peptides in serum respond to fracture in humans. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 111, 265–267 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571521
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571521