Urinary Procollagen III Aminoterminal Propeptide (PIIINP): A Fibrotest for the Nephrologist

摘要

Background and objectives: Kidney biopsy (KB), to date the only tool for the evaluation of renal fibrosis, carries specific risks, and its relevance is limited by the small size of renal parenchyma assessed. Thus, a noninvasive alternative to KB is required. Collagen type III amino-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) is a degradation product of collagen type III, the increase of which may reflect an ongoing fibrotic process.