Serum levels of carboxy-terminal propeptide of Type 1 procollagen do not reflect the severity of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract

Objective: High serum levels of carboxy-terminal propeptide of Type 1 procollagen (PICP) were reported in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis as a marker of liver fibrosis. However, its status in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine serum PICP levels in NASH patients comparing with cirrhotic patients and healthy individuals, and its association with the degree of necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis.