Serum Carboxy-terminal Cross-linking Telopeptide Fragments of Type-2 Collagen Level in the General Population: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the serum carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide fragments of type-2 collagen (sCTX-II) level in normal healthy young and middle-aged individuals. Materials and Methods: Normal healthy adults were included as the participants in this study (175 participants). The age, gender, weight, and height of individuals were recorded. Venous samples (5 ml) were collected for the estimation of the sCTX-II level by ELISA kit. Results: The mean sCTX-II level was recorded as 400.42 ± 208.08 pg/ml. The mean sCTX-II level among males was recorded as 406.49 ± 220.79 pg/ml, and in females, it was 382.34 ± 157.88 pg/ml), and the difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.50). The sCTX-II value was recorded as 389.11 ± 199.79 pg/ml in the age group of 19–29 years, 430.45 ± 231.71 pg/ml in the age group of 30–39 years, and 424.12 ± 223.35 pg/ml in the age group of 40–49 years; however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.524). The CTX-II value in the underweight category was 365.55 ± 197.09 pg/ml; in the normal body mass index (BMI) category, it was 404.58 ± 225.29 pg/ml; in the overweight category, the BMI was 392.99 ± 193.79 pg/ml; and in obese BMI category, the value was 417.32 ± 186.79 pg/ml. Our results revealed that the sCTX-II level is independent of age (F = 0.64, P = 0.524), gender (t = 0.66, P = 0.50), and BMI (F = 0.15, P = 0.92). Conclusion: We concluded that the sCTX-II level does not get affected by age, gender, and BMI in the general population. The sCTX-II estimation can be used to differentiate the cases of knee osteoarthritis from the normal population as it is independent of age, gender, and BMI. The sCTX-II value in young and middle-aged healthy populations is reported. However, a multicentric study with stringent subject selection criteria is needed to corroborate the results of this pilot study.