Newcastle Laboratories

P3NP (N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen), serum

Clinical Background:

Type III procollagen has propeptide extensions at both ends of the molecule. Some of the amino-terminal propeptides are released during the synthesis and deposition of type III collagen. N-terminal...

Type III procollagen has propeptide extensions at both ends of the molecule. Some of the amino-terminal propeptides are released during the synthesis and deposition of type III collagen. N-terminal propeptide of type III collagen (P3NP) can therefore be found in the serum due to its production during synthesis of new type III collagen or degradation of existing type III collagen fibrils.

Increased serum concentrations of P3NP are found in a number of conditions where accumulation and/or degradation of connective tissue take place. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis of various aetiologies increase serum concentrations of P3NP. The principal clinical use of P3NP is currently as a non-invasive means of monitoring patients treated with methotrexate, thereby reducing the necessity of liver biopsy. Elevations in P3NP are not specific for liver fibrosis and can also be due to fibrotic conditions of the lungs, myeloproliferative disease and healing of damage to cardiac tissue for example.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum

    Serum

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum

    Serum

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    2 mL

    2 mL

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    2 mL

    2 mL

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated: Same day
    Separated: 5 days at 4-8°C

    Unseparated: Same day
    Separated: 5 days at 4-8°C

  • Transport Requirements:

    Ambient 

    Ambient 

  • Interpretation:

    Indications for considering liver biopsy:
    Pre-treatment P3NP >8.0 µg/L
    P3NP above 4.2 µg/L in at least 3 samples over 12-month period
    P3NP >8.0 µg/L in two consecutive samples

    Indications for consid...

    Indications for considering liver biopsy:
    Pre-treatment P3NP >8.0 µg/L
    P3NP above 4.2 µg/L in at least 3 samples over 12-month period
    P3NP >8.0 µg/L in two consecutive samples

    Indications for considering withdrawal of methotrexate:
    P3NP >10.0 µg/L in at least 3 samples in a 12-month period

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  • Reference Ranges:

    Adults (20-65yrs): 1.7-4.2 ug/L 

    Adults (20-65yrs): 1.7-4.2 ug/L 

  • Other Info:

    Lithium heparin and EDTA plasma samples also acceptable

    Lithium heparin and EDTA plasma samples also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

Sample sent to external lab for analysis

Turn Around:

Within 4 weeks

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