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Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
Published on: June 11, 2017
Age- and gender-related changes in ligament components
T Osakabe1, M Hayashi, K Hasegawa
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Hoshi College of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan.
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|October 6, 2001
Summary
Mineral content in lumbar yellow ligaments increases with age, while matrix components like elastin and collagen decrease. These changes vary significantly between genders, particularly in Japanese populations, suggesting altered ligament metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Orthopedics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Human lumbar yellow ligaments are crucial for spinal stability.
- Aging and gender are known factors influencing tissue composition.
- Extracellular matrix and mineral components are key determinants of ligament properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age- and gender-related changes in extracellular matrix and mineral components of human lumbar yellow ligaments.
- To understand the impact of aging on elastin, collagen, and mineral content.
- To identify gender-specific alterations in ligament composition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of extracellular matrix components (elastin, elastin cross-links, fibrillin, collagen, glycoprotein) and mineral components (calcium, phosphorus) in surgical ligament specimens.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlations between component levels, age, and gender.
- Comparison of component levels between male and female subjects.
Main Results:
- Mineral content (calcium, phosphorus) significantly increased with age.
- Matrix components generally decreased with age, with notable exceptions like fibrillin.
- Significant age-dependent decreases in elastin and elastin cross-links were observed in males.
- Significant age-dependent decrease in collagen was observed in females.
- Gender-specific differences in age-related changes of elastin and collagen were identified.
Conclusions:
- Lumbar yellow ligaments exhibit distinct age- and gender-related compositional changes.
- Elastin and collagen metabolism in ligaments are influenced by both aging and gender.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering demographic factors in ligament research and clinical applications.
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