Oral collagen biosynthesis in the guinea pig

Abstract

Collagen biosynthesis, as measured by conversion of 3‐4 3 H‐proline to 3 H‐hydroxyproline, was studied in guinea pig oral tissue and skin during normal growth, ascorbic acid depletion and following administration of ascorbic acid to scorbutic animals. Collagen breakdown in oral and skin tissue of normal animals was determined by measuring the depletion of 14 C‐hydroxyproline over a seven month period of time. Oral collagen demonstrated a high level of metabolic activity, thus providing biochemical support to the histo‐pathological concept that periodontal tissues exist in a state of continuous wound healing and repair.