SMRP assay
Serum SMRPs were evaluated using the MESOMARK ELISA kit (Fujirebio Diagnostics), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Venous blood was drawn at defined time intervals as per the protocol and processed for serum. Serum samples were stored at –80 °C until the assay was performed. Patients who had baseline SMP <1.5 mM were removed from the analysis because this is the cutoff for healthy subjects (MESOMARK, 