H-3-LABELED COLLAGEN TURNOVER IN NON-CROSSLINKED AND ALDEHYDE-CROSSLINKED DERMAL COLLAGEN GRAFTS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (1) , 13-17
Abstract
Using trypsin-purified rat dermal collagen labeled with 3H-hydroxyproline and proline, hydroxyproline turnover was studied in non-cross-linked and glutaraldehyde- and formaldehyde-cross-linked collagen when implanted s.c. in unlabeled isogenic rats. Grafts cross-linked with 0.01% glutaraldehyde maintained their collagen mass over a 22-wk period, loss of original collagen being balanced by the gain in new collagen (22% at 22 wk). Cross-linking with 5% formaldehyde temporarily inhibited collagen loss as compared with non-cross-linked grafts. At 22 wk, both had lost .apprx. 30% of their collagen mass, the gain of new collagen (.apprx. 8%) only partially compensating for the loss of original implant collagen.