The presence of dialyzable hydroxyproline-containing peptides in plasma (1) and urine (2-4) has been known for some t,ime. Although their exact significance is not clear, the levels of these peptides in the absence of collagen or gelatin in the diet are a reflection of endogenous collagen metabolism (l-5). In a previous publication (6) it was shown that, in addition to free hydroxyproline and d...

Purpose: The objects of this study were to compare biological properties of a native articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM)-derived oriented scaffold and the Chondro-Gide bilayered scaffold. Methods: The ACECM oriented scaffold (No. 4131) and the Chondro-Gide scaffold (No. 4132) compared form (I) The physical properties (II) FDA/Pl staining, and frozen sections were stained with tolui...

OBJECTIVE Prostacyclin (PGI2) has been shown to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to test the preventive effects of intraperitoneally administered iloprost, a stable PGI2 analog, on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and to compare the effects of iloprost with the effects of methyl-prednisolone, a tradi...

Bleomycin-induced lung injury has been extensively used as a model of interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 is a ligand for lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1alpha and has been shown to be required for leukocyte migration into inflamed areas. The purpose of this report was to investigate the role of the ICAM-1/LFA-1alpha pathway in a...

The volume of the intrafibrillar water space--i.e. the water contained inside the collagen fibres--is a key parameter that is relevant to concepts of connective tissue structure and function. Confined compression and swelling experiments on annulus fibrosus samples are interpreted in terms of a dual porosity model that distinguishes between a non-ionised intrafibrillar porosity and an ionised e...

OBJECTIVE Epidural scar adhesion is one of the major causes of the failed back surgery syndrome after laminectomy. Recent studies have shown that simvastatin has potent anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluates the effect of the topical application of simvastatin on reducing epidural scar adhesion after laminectomy in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six male Spra...

In North India, poultice of young unfolded leaves of Argyreia speciosa Linn. (Convolvulaceae) is used for healing wounds. In order to find scientific evidence for the traditional utilization of leaves of A. speciosa in wound healing, this investigation was carried out. A linear incision wound of about 3 cm in length and 2 mm in depth and circular excision wound of 177 mm(2) full thickness were ...

Meat and bone meal is a valuable protein and mineral source in diets of production animals and contributes to the protein, energy and mineral component of diets. The aim of the present study was to more accurately characterise the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of meat and bone meals produced in New Zealand and evaluate routine in vitro assays used in practise to measure meat and bone ...