Effects of gamma irradiation on the structures and reactivity of native and cross-linked collagen fibres
Native and crosslinked rat tail tendon collagen were subjected to gamma radiation up to a maximum dose of 100 x 10/sup 4/ J kg/sup -1/ (100 Mrd). Collagen irradiated dry showed greater structural damage than that irradiated in the presence of water when examined in the electron microscope using negative staining techniques. Glutaraldehyde crosslinked collagen showed much less damage than native collagen, the fibrous form being retained even at the highest dose levels, although the band structure was profoundly altered. Wet- but not dry- irradiated collagen became resistant to the action of bacterial collagenase, while both wet- and dry-irradiated specimens were digested with elastase. Crosslinked collagen, normally resistant to both elastase and collagenase, became sensitive after varying doses of radiation, with marked differences in behavior between the wet- and dry-irradiated specimens. Gamma-irradiated collagen reacted abnormally with various histological stains and at the highest dose levels tended to resemble elastin in tinctorial properties. The crosslinked collagen showed less change than the native collagen. No marked changes were found in the amino acid composition of the irradiated collagen. Solubilities in hot alkali, cold acetic acid, and hot water were all decreased after irradiation of collagen in the wet state and increased after irradiation in the dry state. It was concluded that gamma irradiation of collagen in the dry state results in scission of the polypeptide chains and that, in the presence of water, this is accompanied by the formation of intermolecular bonds. These processes appear to be accompanied by changes in the configuration of the polypeptide chains. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Agricultural Research Council, Cambridge, Eng.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-000528
- OSTI ID:
- 4424253
- Journal Information:
- J. Anat., v. 115, no. 1, pp. 29-43, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-74; Bib. Info. Source: UK (United Kingdom (sent to DOE from))
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
N40300 -Chemistry-Radiation Chemistry
*COLLAGEN- CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ACETIC ACID
AMINO ACIDS
CHEMICAL BONDS
COLORATION
CROSS-LINKING
DIGESTION
ENZYMES
FIBERS
GAMMA RADIATION
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
POLYPEPTIDES
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION DOSES
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SOLUBILITY
STAINS
WATER