VITAMINS AND ANALGESICS IN THE PREVENTION OF COLLAGEN AGING

The ageing of connective tissues involves modifications of collagen, w hich are currently generating much interest amongst protein researcher s. Protein glycation, a non-enzymic reaction involving sugar, appears to play a role in the evolution of age-related physical changes and di abetic complications-retinopathy, neuropathy, renal failure and athero sclerosis. Our studies show that the glycation of human corneal and sc leral collagen produces increases in the collagen intermolecular spaci ng-these increases are similar to those we previously reported on the ageing of collagen in these tissues. The present investigation employs X-ray diffraction to look at the structural effects of various substa nces that are believed in inhibit protein glycation. Aspirin-like comp ounds and certain vitamins successfully prevented the sugar-induced mo lecular changes from occurring in corneal and scleral collagen, sugges ting that such compounds could have a useful role in this aspect of ag eing.