[FTIR spectroscopic investigations on the difference in cartilage composition between youth and elder]

Cartilage of youth and elder was measured by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Area integrations were done on the major composition of organic and inorganic substance's infrared bands processed using OMNIC 5. 2. Calculation of the ratio of the integrated areas under the organic and inorganic substance's peaks allowed the comparisons of the ratio brtween organic and inorganic substance's contents. As indicated from the results, the ratio of organic to inorganic substance in youth is 5-7 times larger than that in elder, but there was a big difference in the content of lipids between youth and elder. Calculating the ratio of the integrated areas under lipids peaks (1 747 cm(-1)) to that under inorganic phosphates peaks, the authors can see that the content of lipids in the bone of elder is significantly higher than that of youth. The authors admitted that with the increment of age, less organic substance (collagen) (but more lipids) and more inorganic substance (phosphate, carbonate etc) is a symbol of the degeneration of cartilage. Therefore, makes the cartilage more brittle, less elastic and less wearable. This can result in the disease of bone and injuring the bone easily.