Factors which Influence the Age-Reaction of Collagen in the Skin

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Abstract
Liberation of labile collagen at 65[degree] C in 10 minutes in Ringer solution is largest at pH 4 and smallest at pH 8. The differences are greater with skin than with tendons. pH 4-7 Ringer solution gives the best age-dependent differences. Citrate-buffer, 48 hour cold extraction gives similar but less characteristic differences. Acid reaction also decreases the mechanical tension which is evolved by thermic contraction. This is in agreement with the explanation which is given of the influence of pH on the Hypro-reaction. The quantity of "labile collagen" (dissolved at 65[degree] C in 10 minutes in Ringer solution) was tested in 1- to 37-month-old healthy female rats, in the skin of the back, abdomen and on the tail basis. All 3 regions show the well-known decrease with age. The highest values are on the abdomen, the lowest on the tail basis skin. Individual differences in the values occur and generally run parallel for the same individual in all 3 regions. Thus some common factor, intrinsic or extrinsic, seems to influence the rate of aging of the skin collagen. Comparisons of skin from different regions of 93 humans are also given and individual age differences of abdominal skin and also of preputial skin are registered. For determinations of age with the Hypro-reaction, skin of equal regions has to be compared, and the scattering, especially in the 3rd to 6th decade, must be regarded.