Collagen Breakdown

Hathaway, G.J., N.H.Proctor, J.P.Hughes, and M.L.Fischman. 1991. Pp. 83-84 in Proctor and Hughes Chemical Hazards of the Workplace, 3rd Ed. New York Van Nostrand Reinhold. Hatton, D.V., C.S.Leach, A.L.Beaudet, R.O.Dillman, and N.DiFerrante. 1979. Collagen breakdown and ammonia inhalation. Arch. Environ. Health 34(2) 83-87. 

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells found on the endosteal surface of bone, in Haversian systems and periosteal surfaces. PTH activates osteoclasts (indirectly via osteoblasts that possess PTH receptors). Calcitonin is a potent inhibitor of osteoclast activity. Local cytokine factors, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour-necrosis factor (TNF), TGF- 0 and interferon-y (INF-y), are important regulators. Osteoclast resorption of bone releases collagen peptides, pyridinoline cross-links and calcium from the bone matrix, through the action of lysosomal enzymes (collagenases and cathepsins). The collagen breakdown products in serum and urine (e.g. hydroxyproline) can be used as biochemical markers. 

Other markers are also available for monitoring the breakdown of the basement membrane components, including collagen breakdown products and laminin fragments. However, at present, few of these markers have found a place in the cHnical laboratory. 

Bone specific acid phosphatase A lysosomal enzyme of osteoclasts Urine Markers All of these are collagen breakdown products... 

D6. Deyl, Z., and Rosmus, I., Chromatography of collagen breakdown products. Biokhimiya 29, 545-547 (1964). 

Hatton DV, Leach CS, Beaudet AL, et al. 1979. Collagen breakdown and ammonia inhalation. Arch Environ Health 34 83- 86. 

Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), a condition characterized by collagen breakdown and joint deterioration, was the second human disease to be associated with selenium deficiency (Dongxu 1990). Seasonal incidence variations suggest the involvement of infectious agents and of mycotoxins, as well as deficiencies of certain other trace elements (iodine, boron, germanium) (Dongxu 1990, Peng et al. 2000). 

These applications will be described in greater detail in this article. Many other specific applications have been developed for particular projects, including separations of nucleosides and collagen breakdown products, but these have not commonly transferred from the research environment to the routine repertoire of tests. 

Fatty acids are the integral part of skin and help to maintain a healthy and youthful skin. Topical application of fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been proved to have potential impact on skin and hair. Primary role of fatty acids in cosmetic composition is its moisturizing function. Fatty acids function as emollients, which on application to skin form a hydrophobic layer and prevent the water loss from skin, eventually reduce the skin dryness and make the skin smooth and soft. Apart from that, PUFA are powerftil antioxidants and can be used to alleviate oxidative damage associated with sun exposure. They were reported to inhibit collagen breakdown and eliminate aging skin symptoms like wrinkles. 

Collagenases have been demonstrated in bone, skin, synovial tissue, gingival tissue and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. They are most readily obtained from tissues where the rate of collagen breakdown is increased, either as a result of some normal process such as the involution of the postpartum uterus, or as a result of disease, e.g. in gingivitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or wound healing. While, for the most part, the enzymes from the various tissues share the same characteristics there are some differences of unknown physiological significance. 

Kerkvliet, E. H. M., A. J. P. Docherty, W. Beersten, and V. Everts. 1999. Collagen breakdown in soft connective tissue explants is associated with the level of active gelatinase A (MMP-2) but not with collage-nase. Matrix Biology 18(4) 373-380. 

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