The Effect of UV-A and Reactive Oxygen Species on Glycosylation and Fragmentation of Calf Skin Collagen

Non-enzymatic glycosylation and fragmentation of collagen molecule were investigated by irradiating Ultraviolet A(UV-A) with or without scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of glucose. Non-enzymatic glycosylation was increased by UV-A at high concentration of glucose. It was reduced in the presence of the scavengers of superoxide radical and singlet oxygen, but not reduced in the presence of hydroxy radical scavenger. Fragmentation of collagen was increased by UV-A, but it was decreased in the presence of all ROS scavengers tested. Superoxide radical and singlet oxygen produced by autoxidation of glucose without UV-A may encounter the initial phase of glycosylation. Data presented here suggest that UV-A affects only on the fragmentation process, but all ROS except hydroxy radical act on both processes. It appears that hydroxy radical does not act on the glycosylation process.