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Hormonal control of collagen metabolism. Part II

E J Kucharz1

  • 1Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Medicine, Milwaukee.

Endocrinologie
|October 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Glucocorticoids impact collagen metabolism by reducing procollagen mRNA and altering posttranslational modifications. These hormonal effects on collagen synthesis and degradation contribute to various side effects and influence fibrotic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Glucocorticoids influence collagen metabolism, leading to side effects in long-term therapy.
  • The molecular mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid effects on collagen are complex and not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which glucocorticoids affect collagen metabolism.
  • To review the pathophysiological aspects of glucocorticoid hormonal regulation in fibrotic diseases and keloids.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of procollagen mRNA levels.
  • Assessment of posttranslational modifications in procollagen (hydroxylation, glycosylation).
  • Evaluation of enzyme activities involved in collagen biosynthesis and degradation.

Main Results:

  • Glucocorticoids decrease procollagen mRNA levels.
  • Depressed activity of enzymes involved in intracellular collagen biosynthesis (proline/lysine hydroxylation, hydroxylysine glycosylation).
  • Variable effects on extracellular collagen maturation and degradation, with some evidence of decreased collagenolytic enzyme activity.

Conclusions:

  • Glucocorticoids significantly impact collagen metabolism at multiple levels, from gene expression to protein modification and degradation.
  • These effects contribute to the known side effects of glucocorticoid therapy and are relevant to conditions like hepatic/pulmonary fibrosis and keloids.

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