Matthew R. Cooperberg (Matthew.R.Cooperberg at dartmouth.edu) wrote:
: Correct me if any of these assumptions are incorrect:
: Lathyrism is caused by overconsumption of sweet peas, whose
: beta-aminopropionitrile >reduces< intramolecular cross-linking to a
: debilitating extent.
: Would consumption of sweat peas (or treatment w/
: beta-aminoproprionitrile) in any way slow or reverse the deterioration
: of skin elasticity?
Basically, this is true. However, beta-aminoproprionitrile affects the
generation of allysine in general, which is the primary precursor of
collagen crosslinks in both juvenile (azomethine, two-membered) and
adult (three and possibly four side changes involving) crosslink compounds.
Therefore, the reason for decreasing skin elasticity, i.e. the 'maturation'
from juvenile to adult crosslinks, is targeted with such a chemical.However,
a certain amount of crosslinking is required for the mechanical stability
of tissue. Experiments ('60s or '70s) in vivo with chemically induced
Lathyrism showed that the life of the animals was drastically reduced
because of breaking aortas and similar important devices.
Regards
Reinhard
maybe worth reading:
Bailey,A.J., Robins, S.P., Balian, G. Nature 251, 105 (1974).
Waite, J.H., Tanzer, M.L. CRC Handbook of Chemistry in aging, 1981, 195f.
Doelz,R. and Heidemann, E. Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 32, 307 (1988).
Doelz, R. and Heidemann, E. Conn. Tissue Research 18, 255 (1989).
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