Total collagen content and distribution is increased in human colon during advancing age

Abstract

Background The effect of ageing on total collagen content of human colon has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to determine if ageing altered total collagen content and distribution in the human colon. Methods Macroscopically normal ascending colon was obtained at surgery from cancer patients (n = 31) without diagnosis of diverticular disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Masson’s trichrome and Picrosirius red stains were employed to identify the total collagen content and distribution within the sublayers of the colonic wall for adult (22–60 years; 6 males, 6 females) and elderly (70 – 91years; 6 males, 4 female) patients. A hydroxyproline assay evaluated the total collagen concentration for adult (30–64 years; 9 male, 6 female) and elderly (66–91 years; 8 male, 8 female) patients. Key results Histological studies showed that the percentage mean intensity of total collagen staining in the mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa was, respectively, 14(1.9) %, 74(3.2) % and 12(1.5) % in the adult ascending colon. Compared with the adults, the total collagen fibres content was increased in the submucosa (mean intensity; 163.1 ± 11.1 vs. 124.5 ± 7.8; P < 0.05) and muscularis externa (42.5 ± 8.0 vs. 20.6 ± 2.8; P < 0.01) of the elderly patients. There was no change in collagen content of the mucosa. The total collagen concentration was increased in the elderly by 16%. Sex-related differences were not found, and data were combined for analysis. Conclusions Greater total collagen content was found in the submucosa and muscularis externa of the elderly human male and female colon. These changes may contribute to a possible loss of function with ageing.

Toughness Variations among Natural Casings: An Exploration on Their Biochemical and Histological Characteristics

“…No differences in the total collagen content was observed between hog/sheep casings in all samples, even though they had different toughness. A study on total collagen content and distribution in the human colon showed similar results indicating that the percentage mean intensity of total collagen staining in the submucosa was 74 (3.2)% in the adult ascending colon [ 25 ].…”

Histochemical and biochemical analysis of collagen content in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded colonic samples

“… The sensitivity of this protocol is such that it is now applicable to quantify hydroxyproline content in FFPE samples using only a few 10µm sections. In the analysis of the amount of hydroxyproline content in colonic samples, previous studies reported no statistically significant differences in the amount of hydroxyproline content between treated (with histoclear) and untreated (with paraffin) samples [6 , 7] , indicating that this technique can be employed without the use of xylene/histoclear (see Fig. 5 ).…”

“…These include those associated with tissue damage, such as inflammatory bowel disease [4] diverticular disease and anastomotic leakage after large bowel surgery [5] . In addition, the human colon, at the level of submucosa and muscularis externa, shows an increase in total collagen fibres among the elderly [6 , 7] indicating that the functions of these sublayers may be vulnerable to age-associated physiological changes.…”

“…Therefore, the aim of this protocol is to: (1) describe a convenient way in assessing collagen fibres distribution in the individual colonic sublayers with colour thresholding technique in ImageJ software and (2) evaluate hydroxyproline content using a spectrophotometric based assay in FFPE samples. The methods described herein were used to assess the pattern of distribution of total collagen contents in ageing human colon [6 , 7] .…”

Mechanical experimentation of the gastrointestinal tract: a systematic review

“…Most collagen and elastin of the GI organs are situated in the mucosal, submucosal and outer layers (Van de Graaff 1986 ; Baidoo et al. 2022 ; Durcan et al. 2022a ).…”