Collagen accumulation in heart ventricles as a function of growth and aging

Increase in resting tension of left ventricular papillary muscle with age has been attributed to the amount of collagen present. We therefore studied the total amount and structure of myocardial collagen as a function of age in the hearts of male Fischer 344 rats. Using amino acid analysis and quantification of hydroxyproline, we showed that collagen accumulates in relation to ventricular protein after 3 months of age and continues in that mode with increased age of the animal, levelling off at 22 months. In this strain of rats, collagen increased in the left ventricle from 5.5% of total protein in a 1 month old animal to approximately 12% in 22 and 26 month old animals; in the right ventricle the increase was from 7% in the 1 month old animal to approximately 19.5% in 22-26 month old animals. The larger percentages of collagen in the right ventricle relative to the left agree with findings of others. Collagen accumulates in intrinsic collagenous structures where the pre-existing fibres are thickened and are more extensive. These structures were detected with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and include perimysial weaves, coiled perimysial fibres and struts. Regions of fibrosis were also increased in size and volume in older animals.