title: Age-related alterations in the strength and collagen content of left colon in rats.
abstract: The biomechanical properties and intestinal wall composition of left colon were studied in 4-month-old, 14-month-old, and 27-month-old male rats. The hydroxyproline content and hydroxyproline concentration in old rats were increased by 36% and 26%, respectively, compared with young rats and by 20% and 17%, respectively, compared with middle-aged rats. In middle-aged rats the maximum load increased by 21%, compared with young rats. In old rats, however, the maximum load decreased by 13%, compared with middle-aged rats. Histological examination showed that the mean crypt height was 9% higher in middle-aged rats and 12% higher in old rats than in young rats. In conclusion, an accumulation of collagenous proteins was found in old rats compared with middle-aged rats and this was accompanied by a decrease in the strength, which may deteriorate the functional integrity of the left colonic wall with age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Connective Tissue Biology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oxlund
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry*; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D006909:Hydroxyproline