title: Vitamins and analgesics in the prevention of collagen ageing.
abstract: The ageing of connective tissues involves modifications of collagen, which are currently generating much interest amongst protein researchers. Protein glycation, a non-enzymic reaction involving sugar, appears to play a role in the evolution of age-related physical changes and diabetic complications-retinopathy, neuropathy, renal failure and atherosclerosis. Our studies show that the glycation of human corneal and scleral collagen produces increases in the collagen intermolecular spacing-these increases are similar to those we previously reported on the ageing of collagen in these tissues. The present investigation employs X-ray diffraction to look at the structural effects of various substances that are believed in inhibit protein glycation. Aspirin-like compounds and certain vitamins successfully prevented the sugar-induced molecular changes from occurring in corneal and scleral collagen, suggesting that such compounds could have a useful role in this aspect of ageing.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Research Unit, Open University, Boars Hill, Oxford.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Meek
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000187:drug effects*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000187:drug effects*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006031:Glycosylation / Q000187:drug effects; D006146:Guanidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D012590:Sclera / Q000187:drug effects; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002614:Chelating Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006146:Guanidines; D014815:Vitamins; D014810:Vitamin E; D000082:Acetaminophen; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D003094:Collagen; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D001241:Aspirin; C004479:pimagedine; D007052:Ibuprofen