Action of phenylalanine mustard on collagen in vivo

Changes in skin collagen structure were studied after i.p. injection of phenylalanine mustard to rats. First order amino groups of lysine and arginine reacted with phenylalanine mustard, as stated potentiometrically. Bacterial collagenase was used to solubilize the skin collagen, and the aldehyde content of this material was measured using N-methyl benzothiazolone hydrazone. The aldehyde content was decreased in the collagen from rats skin after phenylalanine mustard injection. The observed changes in collagen may be analogous to the effect of aging, wherein collagen cross-linking is strengthened although qualitative changes in cross-linking may lower the measurable aldehydes.