GLYCATION OF COLLAGEN IN HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIC RATS

Nonenzymatic collagen glycation and modification with lipid derived me tabolites was studied in rat skin and tail tendon collagen of control and hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) rats. Age-dependent changes typical for lipid and sugar derived adducts were evaluated by measuring fluoresce nce of these collagens at wavelengths typical for sugar (335/385 and 3 70/440 nm) and lipid derived adducts (356/460 and 390/460 nm). In addi tion pentosidine assay (corresponding to the fluorescence parameters 3 35/385 nm) was performed as well. It was found that pentosidine concen tration as well as fluorescence intensities in skin collagen was the s ame for control and HTG rats and significantly increased with age. On the other hand, no significant age-dependent changes in fluorescence i ntensities were observed in tail tendon collagen. Pentosidine concentr ation in tail tendon collagen was much lower than that in skin and it was decreased in young HTG rats compared to cotrol ones. It increased with age, more distinctly in HTG rats than in their control counterpar ts, in such a way that at the age of 19 months the pentosidine levels were undistinguishible in both rat strains. Possible mechanisms underl ying these results are discussed.