Concentração de hidroxiprolina na matriz colágena durante o envelhecimento: estudo bioquímico em gengivas saudáveis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the age-dependent amounts of total collagens in healthy human gingival tissues. The gingival biopsies were obtained from 28 patients (mean age 30,01 ± 18,7). The biopsies were divided in 3 age groups: 10 to 15 years (prepubertal children), 16 to 35 years (young adults) and over 36 years (adults). The tissues were analyzed for the inflammatory condition. The tissues were routinely prepared for light microscopy examination and the collagen was evidenced by staining with HE, Gomori's trichrome, picrosirius red, and Weigert's resorcin fuchsin. Biochemical analyses total collagens were used levels of hydroxyproline by HCl hydrolysis, neutralized with NaOH (pH 7.0), centrifuged. The clear supernatant tractions were used for spectrophotometric determination of hydroxyproline. Differences between the groups were tested by Mann-Whitney test (p<0,05). The results indicated that the concentration of hydroxyproline was significantly higher in the prepubertal group, as compared to the other groups (p<0,05). In conclusion, it seems that the concentration of hydroxyproline in healthy periodontal tissues decreases in adult life.