title: Effect of protein malnutrition on the cross-linking of gingival and uterine collagen in rats.
abstract: The effect of protein malnutrition on gingival and uterine collagen cross-linking was studied in female albino rats. The gingival and uterine samples were taken on the 28th day of the experimental period in both groups; the percent reversibility of neutral salt-soluble collagen, and the susceptibility of insoluble collagen to denaturing agents (to KSCN, urea, or pronase) were increased in gingival and uterine samples of protein-deficient animals. The analysis of gingival and uterine samples showed alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits of neutral salt-soluble collagen appreciably increased, but beta 11 and beta 12 chains and the aldehyde content were significantly decreased in protein-deficient animals compared to controls. The results indicate that in protein deficiency the cross-linking and maturation of collagen are impaired.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000378:metabolism*; D006128:Growth; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D051381:Rats; D012995:Solubility; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D003094:Collagen