How much collagen is too much
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Understanding Collagen Levels: How Much is Too Much?
Collagen in Atherosclerosis: Balancing Synthesis and Breakdown
Collagen plays a crucial role in the structure and function of various tissues, including the arterial walls. In the context of atherosclerosis, the balance of collagen synthesis and breakdown is vital. Excessive collagen accumulation can lead to arterial stenosis, a condition where the arteries become narrowed and restrict blood flow. On the other hand, insufficient collagen synthesis combined with excessive breakdown can weaken arterial plaques, making them more prone to rupture, which can result in severe cardiovascular events1.
Collagen Turnover in Adults: Age and Gender Differences
Collagen turnover, the process by which old collagen is replaced by new collagen, varies significantly with age and gender. Research using radiocarbon tracers from nuclear bomb testing has shown that collagen turnover rates decrease with age. For females, the turnover rate drops from an average of 4% per year at age 20 to 3% per year by age 80. Males exhibit a slightly lower turnover rate, averaging between 1.5% and 3% per year over the same age range. During adolescence, the turnover rate is much higher, ranging from 5% to 15% per year, with males having significantly higher rates than females2.
Conclusion
The appropriate amount of collagen is context-dependent. In atherosclerosis, both excessive collagen accumulation and insufficient synthesis can have detrimental effects. In general, collagen turnover rates decrease with age, and there are notable differences between males and females. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for determining what constitutes "too much" collagen in various physiological and pathological contexts.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Collagen synthesis in atherosclerosis: too much and not enough.
Atherosclerosis is influenced by both excessive collagen breakdown and inadequate synthesis, leading to arterial stenosis and plaque rupture.
Highly CitedCollagen turnover in the adult femoral mid-shaft: modeled from anthropogenic radiocarbon tracer measurements.
Adult femoral bone collagen shows a decrease in turnover rate for females from 20 to 80 years, with males having a higher turnover rate than females, and reflects an individual's diet over a longer period than 10 years.
Observational StudyHighly CitedTurnover of muscle protein in the fowl. Collagen content and turnover in cardiac and skeletal muscles of the adult fowl and the changes during stretch-induced growth.
During stretch-induced growth in fowl, between 30 and 70% of newly synthesized collagen may have been degraded, with internal collagen accounting for over 80% of the total collagen content in the enlarged muscle.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyHighly CitedCollagen constitutes about twelve percent in females and seventeen percent in males of the total protein in mice
Collagen constitutes about 12% in females and 17% in males of the total protein content in healthy wild-type mice, providing reference points for tissue and biomaterial engineering.
Observational Study
PreprintScarred by disease
Collagen fibrosis, caused by excess protein in the skin, can be treated with a weighty solution, but a company in California is offering a weighty solution.
Basic Aspects of Collagen Metabolism
There are 3-4 kg of collagens in the adult human organism, more than of any other protein. The collagens consist of a family of structurally related proteins of the extracellular matrix. To date, at least 19 genetically distinct collagen types, containing more than 30 different α chains, have been identified [3, 6, 11, 16, 36].
The neonatal heart has a relatively high content of total collagen and type I collagen, a condition that may explain the less compliant state.
The neonatal heart has a higher content of collagen and type I collagen, leading to a less compliant state, which gradually decreases during development.
In Vitro StudyHighly CitedDose-dependent changes in the levels of free and peptide forms of hydroxyproline in human plasma after collagen hydrolysate ingestion.
Ingesting over 153.8 mg of collagen hydrolysate effectively increases hydroxyproline levels in plasma, suggesting that ingestion of less than 30.8 mg is not effective for health benefits.
Non-RCTIsolation of collagen from fish waste material — skin, bone and fins
Fish waste materials, such as skin, bone, and fins, have potential as a source of collagen to supplement land vertebrates' skin.
Highly CitedCollagen in Health and Disease
Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining health and preventing disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta, Ehlers-Dalnos syndrome, and scurvy.
Highly Cited