Age-related alterations in the strength and collagen content of left colon in rats

✍ Scribed by H. Christensen; T. T. Andreassen; H. Oxlund

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 432 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0179-1958
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00341292

✦ Synopsis

The biomechanical properties and intestinal wall composition of left colon were studied in 4-month-old, 14-month-old, and 27-month-old male rats. The hydroxyproline content and hydroxyproline concentration in old rats were increased by 36% and 26%, respectively, compared with young rats and by 20% and 17%, respectively, compared with middle-aged rats. In middle-aged rats the maximum load increased by 21%, compared with young rats. In old rats, however, the maximum load decreased by 13%, compared with middle-aged rats. Histological examination showed that the mean crypt height was 9% higher in middle-aged rats and 12% higher in old rats than in young rats. In conclusion, an accumulation of collagenous proteins was found in old rats compared with middle-aged rats and this was accompanied by a decrease in the strength, which may deteriorate the functional integrity of the left colonic wall with age.