Serum enzymes of collagen synthesis and type III procollagen aminopropeptide in Nigerian patients with sickle cell disease.

Serum immunoreactive prolyl hydroxylase protein (S-IRPH), galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase activity (S-GGT), and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (S-Pro(III)-N-P) were measured in 20 patients with sickle cell disease and the values were compared with those in 20 apparently healthy Nigerians. The means for the two enzymes and S-Pro(III)-N-P were significantly elevated in the sickle cell disease patients. Significant correlations were found between the values of the two enzymes and the protein (S-Pro(III)-N-P) within the sickle cell disease patients. The data confirm that collagen formation is found in the bone, liver, or other organs of patients with this disease. The measurement of S-GGT and S-Pro(III)-N-P in prospective studies might be helpful in predicting general and hepatic fibrogenesis in sickle cell disease.