Immunohistochemical analysis of collagen content and types in the rectus abdominis muscle of cadavers of different ages.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the collagen content and types in the rectus abdominis muscle of cadavers of different ages.


METHODS
Forty fresh adult male cadavers, at room temperature, were obtained from the Institute of Legal Medicine of Franca and dissected within 24 hours of death. The cadavers were divided into two groups: Group A (n=20), 18 to 30 years of age, and Group B (n=20), 31 to 60 years of age. Bilateral incisions were made in the middle portion of anterior rectus sheath 3 cm superiorly and 2 cm inferiorly to the umbilicus and four fragments of the rectus abdominis muscle were dissected. The samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and sent for immunohistochemical analysis to determine collagen content and types.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical results revealed higher amounts of type I and type III collagen in Group A. However, no difference in the amount of type IV collagen was found between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of type I and type III collagen was higher in group A.
Department of Physical Therapy, UNINOVE, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Eliziane Nitz de Carvalho
EN
Calvi
Fábio Xerfan
FX
Nahas
Marcus Vinícius Jardini
MV
Barbosa
Silvia Saiuli Miki
SS
Ihara
José Augusto
JA
Calil
Lydia Masako
LM
Ferreira
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002102:Cadaver; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis*; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000032:analysis*; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D024141:Collagen Type IV