Open AccessEvaluation of serum aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen as an early marker of the active fibrotic process in asbestos-exposed workers.
Author(s) -
A Cavalleri,
Fabriziomaria Gobba,
L. Bacchella,
Davide Ferrari
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1723
Subject(s) - asbestos , medicine , pulmonary fibrosis , procollagen peptidase , pulmonary function testing , protein precursor , gastroenterology , endocrinology , pathology , lung , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme , materials science , metallurgy
In an evaluation of the possibility of type III procollagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) being an early marker of the active fibrotic process in asbestos-exposed workers, 91 asbestos workers had higher serum PIIINP concentrations than 108 referents. In 24 workers exposed to low levels of airborne asbestos, the serum PIIINP was higher than in the referents but lower than in an exposed group with higher exposure; furthermore a significant correlation (r = 0.63) was found between serum PIIINP and individual cumulative exposure. These data suggest a dose-effect relationship between asbestos exposure and PIIINP serum concentration. In addition workers with a reduced pulmonary function had higher PIIINP values than the referents or the exposed workers with normal pulmonary function. The serum PIIINP levels were related to asbestos exposure even at low airborne concentrations and may represent an early biological marker of impending fibrotic process induced by asbestos.