The collagen structure of young and old rats was examined using a scanning force microscope (SFM). Rat tail tendons of 8- and 24-month-old Wistar rats were frayed by two blades and examined using a Nanoscope III SFM. In the same tendons, the pentosidine concentrations, a marker of the Maillard reaction, were determined by HPLC. The SFM inspection of native fibrils produces images of collagen bundles, with parallel fibrils. The diameters of old rat collagen fibrils were large in comparison to the young ones. Moreover, fibrils obtained from old rats exhibited the same band interval, while the depth of the gap between two overlap zones showed a higher mean value with respect to young collagen. The pentosidine concentration was also higher in the old than in the young tendons. In conclusion, in the presence of an increased concentration of advanced glycation end products, significant structural alterations have been observed in old fibrils.

Keywords:
Aging, Collagen, Cross-links, Glycation, Pentosidine, Scanning force microscope
1998
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.