The UniQ Bone & Tissue Markers are unique serum tests for measuring collagen metabolism in bone and soft tissues.
The quantitative UniQ PINP RIA test measures intact aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen liberated into the blood stream during bone formation.
The quantitative UniQ ICTP RIA test measures carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen liberated into the blood stream during pathological bone degradation.
The quantitative UniQ PIIINP RIA test measures intact aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen, an indicator of soft tissue metabolism.
Generally
PINP - aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen - is a specific type I collagen metabolite which is liberated into the blood stream during the formation of new bone. Its concentration is directly related to the rate of bone turnover. In metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis, PINP is a sensitive indicator for identifying patients with a high rate of bone turnover and, consequently, at high risk of fracture. PINP is a useful parameter for monitoring the effectiveness of anti-resorptive and anabolic treatment.
ICTP - carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen - is a crosslinked product of collagen degradation, which is released from bone when it is being degraded under pathological conditions.
ICTP can be used to monitor diseases involving pathological degradation of bone, such as cancers that metastasise to bone, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple myeloma.
PIIINP - aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen - is liberated into the circulation during soft tissue formation.