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Compositional changes of the xiphoid process and costal cartilage with aging
Kazuhiko Furuta1, Yoshiyuki Tohno, Setsuko Tohno
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Anatomy, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan.
Biological Trace Element Research
|December 4, 2003
Summary
Aging does not significantly alter most cartilage elements, except for sulfur in costal cartilage. However, element levels like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium show consistent correlations in aged cartilage.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Cartilage composition changes with age, impacting its function.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for age-related disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related elemental composition changes in human xiphoid process and costal cartilage.
- To determine correlations between different elements within these cartilages.
Main Methods:
- Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry was used to analyze element content.
- Xiphoid processes and fourth costal cartilages from 26 elderly subjects (52-96 years) were analyzed.
- Elements analyzed included Ca, P, S, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, and Si.
Main Results:
- No significant age-related correlations were found for most elements in either cartilage type.
- Sulfur content in costal cartilage showed a highly significant correlation with age.
- Significant direct correlations were observed between Ca-P and Ca-Mg.
- Significant inverse correlations were found between Ca-S and P-S.
Conclusions:
- Aging has a minimal impact on the elemental composition of xiphoid and costal cartilage, with sulfur in costal cartilage being a notable exception.
- Inter-elemental relationships, particularly between calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur, remain consistent in aged cartilage.