Serum markers of type I collagen synthesis and degradation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Collagen abnormalities in the skin and spinal cord have been reported in am yotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, Serum carboxyterminal propeptid e of type procollagen (PICP) and the carboxyterminal cross-linked telopepti de of type I collagen (ICTP) reflect type I collagen synthesis and degradat ion, respectively, However, there has been no study concerning PICP or ICTP in ALS. We studied collagen contents of the skin and measured serum levels of PICP and ICTP in patients with ALS and control subjects, Serum PICP lev els were significantly lower in ALS patients than in controls. Serum ICTP l evels were significantly higher in ALS patients than in controls, and there was an appreciable positive correlation between serum ICTP levels and the duration of illness in ALS patients, In ALS patients, the collagen content of the skin was significantly smaller than in controls and indicated a prog ressive decrease in relation to illness. In addition, there was a significa nt negative correlation between serum ICTP concentrations and the collagen content of the skin in ALS patients. These data suggest that increased ICTP levels and decreased serum PICP levels may reflect unique changes in the s kin, with a predominance of degradation compared to the synthesis of type I collagen in ALS, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.