The serum concentrations of the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III and the hepatic content of mRNA for the α1 chain of procollagen type III in carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver fibrogenesis

Serum concentrations of the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIIP) are elevated in fibrogenic diseases of the liver, but the mechanism of elevation is not fully understood. To investigate the mechanism, we compared serum concentrations of PIIIP with total liver content of mRNA for the pro α1 (III) chain, in rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis. Adult male rats received CCl₄ in mineral oil twice weekly for 8 weeks and were compared with age-matched controls. Serum concentrations of PIIIP were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay; molecular sizes of PIIIP in serum were also determined. Pro α1 (III) mRNA content in the liver was quantitated by RNA slot-blot hybridization and chemical measurement of total hepatic RNA content. Total collagen content of the liver was estimated by hydroxyproline measurement. All CCl₄-treated animals had septal fibrosis after 4 weeks, and evidence of cirrhosis (regenerative nodules, ascites) was seen after 7 weeks of treatment. Serum concentrations of PIIIP and pro α1 (III) mRNA content in the liver were correlated well until cirrhosis has established. They increased simultaneously after 3 weeks of treatment, 1 week before any elevation of hepatic hydroxyproline could be detected. After cirrhosis has established, pro αl (III) mRNA content in the liver decreased markedly, but serum PIIIP levels continued to be elevated. Hepatic hydroxyproline plateaued after 5 weeks. The molecular sizes of serum PIIIP indicate the release of intact native procollagen peptide during the development of cirrhosis. In conclusion, at least in CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in the rats, serum PIIIP levels can be used as a fibrogenic marker for the period progressing to cirrhosis. But the use of the serum PIIIP levels in cirrhosis seems to be limited by factors other than liver fibrogenesis.