Collagen fibril diameter and its relation to cross-linking of collagen in the skin of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The diameter of collagen fibrils and the age-related, stable cross-link, histidinohydroxylysinonorleucine (HHL), of skin tissue (left biceps) were measured and compared in 11 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 7 controls. In ALS patients, it was found that (1) the diameter of collagen fibrils and the content of HHL were negatively and significantly associated with the duration of illness (r = -0.74, P < 0.01 and r = -0.72, P < 0.02, respectively), and (2) there was an appreciable positive correlation between the diameter of collagen fibrils and the content of HHL (r = 0.73, P < 0.02). These findings were not observed in controls. These suggest there is a close relationship between the decreased amount of HHL and the small diameter of collagen fibrils in ALS.
Ono
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Department of Neurology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Yamauchi
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D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004151:Dipeptides; D005260:Female; D006639:Histidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004151:Dipeptides; C075793:histidinohydroxylysinonorleucine; D006639:Histidine; D003094:Collagen