Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

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.
Abstract:
The age- and gender-related changes in extracellular matrix components (elastin, elastin cross-links, fibrillin, collagen and glycoprotein) and mineral components (calcium, Ca; phosphorus, P) in human lumbar yellow ligaments were investigated using samples obtained from surgical specimens. The mineral (Ca and P) contents increased with ageing (r = 0.703 and r = 0.772, respectively), whereas the contents of matrix components tended to decrease with ageing (elastin r = -0.261, elastin cross-links r = -0.213, fibrillin r = 0.494; collagen r = -0.322 and glycoprotein r = -0.143). Comparison of the male and female groups revealed that the ligament elastin content and elastin cross-links decreased in the male group, whereas the ligament collagen content decreased in the female group significantly in an age-dependent manner (r = -0.788, r = -0.753 and r = -0.721, respectively). These findings demonstrate age- and gender-related changes in mineral and matrix components (especially elastin and collagen) in the lumbar yellow ligaments in the Japanese population. It is suggested that elastin and collagen metabolism in ligaments changes both with age and according to gender.
Related Concept Videos
Elastin is Responsible for Tissue Elasticity
Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, but in ligaments not all fibers are parallel. Dense regular elastic tissue contains elastin fibers and...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Introduction to the Skeletal System
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity

