title: Lysozyme, a major low-molecular-weight cationic protein of the intervertebral disc, which increases with ageing and degeneration.
abstract: Lysozyme was demonstrated to increase in content in the human intervertebral disc in a significant age-dependent manner. In young discs (less than 20 years) the levels were 440 U/g wet weight, whereas in older discs (greater than 65 years) the concentration was 3,460 U/g wet weight. These findings contrasted with the hexuronate level (as a marker of proteoglycans) and neutral sugar content of the tissues which decreased with age. The level of lysozyme determined in the disc tissue also correlated with the morphological grade of disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Raymond Purves Research Laboratories (University of Sydney), Royal North Shore Hospital of Sydney, St. Leonards, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melrose
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001681:Biological Assay; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008837:Micrococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D009113:Muramidase