The effect of gamma-irradiation on collagen molecules, isolated alpha-chains, and crosslinked native fibers

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Biomedical Materials Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.820240505· OSTI ID:6833787

Cheung, D T; Perelman, N; Tong, D; Nimni, M E ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles (USA)

This study shows how collagen molecules are readily damaged by gamma-radiation at dosages commonly used for sterilizing biomedical products. At 1 Mrad, while the reported effectiveness of the radiation at such a low dosage to completely sterilize a material is questionable, less damage was caused to the collagen peptide backbone. Above such dosage, however, significant damage was clearly demonstrated with collagen alone and collagen in a chemically crosslinked tissue matrix. The enzyme digestion study showed that the material exposed to a very high dosage of radiation resisted degradation by pronase. However, molecular weight analysis showed a significant number of peptide bonds being cleaved by the radiation which could cause considerable changes in the long-term characteristics of the material. Therefore, tissues exposed to high dosages of gamma-radiation should be tested for long term functional changes. We want to caution against the usage of the enzyme degradation assay as a universal test for all bioprosthetic derived from biological tissues.

• OSTI ID: 6833787
• Journal Information: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research; (USA) Vol. 24:5; ISSN JBMRB; ISSN 0021-9304
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560120* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMISTRY
COLLAGEN
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENZYMES
GAMMA RADIATION
HYDROLASES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PEPTIDE HYDROLASES
PROTEINS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOSTERILIZATION
SCLEROPROTEINS
SERINE PROTEINASES
STERILIZATION
TRYPSIN