Elastin cross-linking in the skin from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Two cross-links unique to elastin, desmosine and isodesmosine were measured and compared in skin tissue (left upper arm) from 10 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and from seven age-matched controls. The contents of desmosine and isodesmosine were significantly decreased (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) in patients with ALS compared with those of controls, and were negatively and significantly associated with duration of illness in ALS patients (r = -0.77, p < 0.01 and r = -0.65, p < 0.05, respectively). The decline in skin desmosine and isodesmosine is more rapid in ALS than in normal ageing. Thus cross-linking of skin elastin is affected in ALS.
Ono
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Department of Neurology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital, Japan.
Yamauchi
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M
D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D007524:Isodesmosine / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology
D004549:Elastin; D007524:Isodesmosine