Platelet Aggregation by Human Collagen in Relation to its Age

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Abstract
Human aorta and skin suspensions prepared according to Zucker and Borrelli contain both soluble and insoluble collagen, both of which aggregate platelets. This ability to aggregate platelets is highest in the newborn baby and then it gradually decreases during aging. The hydroxyproline content of tissue suspensions is not dependent on age. Values of MHC [minimal hydroxyproline concentration] needed to produce platelet aggregation, were calculated for tissue suspensions of all examined subjects and it was found that MHC increased during process of the aging. The soluble collagen fraction which did not sediment at 25,000 g for 30 min. reacted more specifically with platelets than the insoluble fraction. The ability of collagen to aggregate platelets decreased with aging. This may be related to the decrease of the reactive surface of collagen fibers and to the higher degree of its polymerization.