Evaluation of Connective Tissue Changes in Different Histological Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Histochemical Study

Introduction: In squamous cell carcinoma, cells invade the stroma in the form of islands, strands or sheets, which are surrounded by an extracellular matrix, thus producing reactive changes in the stroma. These reactive changes in the stroma may alter the biological behavior of oral cancer which convey some diagnostic and prognostic significance. Objective: This study was to compare staining intensity of various components of connective tissue such as collagen, elastin and glycoprotein among three histological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 48 in which 36 cases of histologically diagnosed oral squamous cell carcinoma, 12 each of well, moderate and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas and 12 sections of normal mucosa as the control group were selected for the present study. The sections of tissue blocks were stained with connective tissue specific stains such as Verhoeff’s -VanGieson stain and PAS for collagen, elastin and glycoprotein respectively. Results: Staining intensity of collagen, elastin and glycoprotein around tumor island among different grades of OSCC and normal mucosa revealed statistically significant changes (P value <0.001). Collagen and glycoprotein degradation and elastosis are more prominent in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Conclusion: Observable changes were seen in the stroma, in all the three grades of OSCC’s compared to normal mucosa. There was an increased stromal response in poorly differentiated carcinomas, when compared to the other grades. Role of the stroma is like a double-edged sword, at times helping in tumor invasion and otherwise warding off the tumor cells.

Evaluation of the g473a polymorphism in the lysyl oxidase gene as a risk factor related to the occurrence of breast cancer in Brazilian women / Avaliação do polimorfismo g473a no gene da lisil oxidase como fator de risco relacionado à ocorrência de câncer de mama em mulheres brasileiras

Introdução: o câncer de mama é o tipo de câncer mais diagnosticado e a principal causa de morte entre as mulheres em todo o mundo. Aproximadamente 1,67 milhões de novos casos de câncer de mama foram diagnosticados em 2012, levando a mais de meio milhão de mortes. O câncer de mama foi responsável por 11,6% dos novos casos de cânceres diagnosticados (2.089 milhões) e 9,2% (787.000) das mortes relacionadas ao câncer para ambos os sexos e em todas as idades em todo o mundo em 2018.Objetivo: o câncer de mama como o carcinoma mais diagnosticado no mundo e a principal causa de morte entre as mulheres, é uma morbidade de grande importância, sendo o objetivo deste estudo avaliar a associação entre o polimorfismo do gene LOX G473A (rs1800449) a ocorrência de câncer de mama, potencialmente estabelecendo um novo achado na identificação de riscos, prevenção, e atendimento a um grupo específico de mulheres.Método: neste estudo de coorte retrospectivo, a frequência do polimorfismo LOX G473A foi avaliada em 148 mulheres com câncer de mama e 245 mulheres sem a doença. Todas as pacientes responderam a um questionário para identificação de possíveis fatores de risco e posteriormente realizaram coleta de sangue periférico para estudo do gene LOX. O DNA foi extraído seguido da amplificação gênica via PCR, e o polimorfismo foi estudado por eletroforese de fragmentos específicos após digestão das amostras com a endonuclease de restrição do organismo Providencia stuartii.Resultados: este estudo identificou o uso de anticoncepcional oral e o antecedente familiar de câncer de mama como fatores de risco par a doença; o polimorfismo G473A na LOX não foi identificado como fator de risco.Conclusão: não foi observada relação entre o polimorfismo LOX G473A e a ocorrência de câncer de mama.

Introduction: breast cancer is the most diagnosed type of cancer and the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Approximately 1.67 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2012, leading to more than half a million deaths. Breast cancer accounted for 11.6% of newly diagnosed cancers (2,089 million) and 9.2% (787,000) of cancer-related deaths for both sexes and at all ages worldwide in 2018.Objective: breast cancer, as the most diagnosed carcinoma in the world and the leading cause of death among women, is a morbidity of outstanding importance, and the object of this study is to evaluate the association between the LOX gene G473A (rs1800449) polymorphism and breast cancer occurrence, potentially establishing a new finding in the identification of risks, prevention, and care for a specific group of women.Methods:in this retrospective cohort study, LOX G473A polymorphism frequency was assessed in 148 women with breast cancer and 245 women without breast cancer. All patients completed a questionnaire to identify possible risk factors and subsequently underwent peripheral blood collection to study the LOX gene. DNA was extracted followed by gene amplification via PCR, and the polymorphism was studied by specific fragment electrophoresis after digestion of the samples with the restriction endonuclease Pstl.Results: this study identified the use of oral contraceptives and family history of breast cancer as risk factors for breast cancer; the G473A polymorphism in LOX was not identified as a risk factor.Conclusion: a relationship was not observed between the LOX G473A polymorphism and the occurrence of breast cancer.

Tympanic Membrane Retractions in patients with Williams Syndrome: A Controlled Study

Abstract Introduction The role of elastin in tympanic retractions and chronic otitis media is not well established. Williams Syndrome (WS), a pathology related to a mutation in the elastin gene, could generate tympanic retractions. Objective To compare the prevalence of tympanic retractions among patients with WS and controls. Methods WS patients (n= 43 ears) and controls (n= 130 ears) were evaluated by digital otoscopic examination and the degree of tympanic membrane retraction was classified by 2 blinded experienced otolaryngologists. Results The agreement rate between the evaluators was 71.1% for pars tensa and 65% for pars flaccida retraction (p< 0.001). The pars tensa and pars flaccida retractions are present in patients with WS after an adjusted residue of respectively - 2.8 and - 2.6 (p= 0.011 and p= 0.022) compared with controls. Conclusions Tympanic membrane retractions are not more common in the WS group when compared with controls.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of tropoelastin gene and aortic dissection / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the relation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of tropoelastin gene and aortic dissection (AD) via identifying SNPs in the tropoelastin gene, and to detect the level of tropoelastin mRNA, elastin and elastic fibers.@*METHODS@#The specimens of the AD group (@*RESULTS@#Seven SNP loci of the tropoelastin gene were detected in these samples. Among them, 5 SNP loci were polymorphic. The frequency of 3 SNP loci[rs2071307 (G/A), rs34945509 (C/T) and rs17855988 (G/C)] was significantly different between the AD group and the control group (all @*CONCLUSIONS@#The polymorphisms of rs2071307 (G/A), rs34945509 (C/T), and rs17855988(G/C) in the tropoelastin gene may eventually affect the synthesis of elastic fibers and they may play an important role in the occurrence of AD.

Effects of tadalafil to prevent injury on corpus cavernosum after vascular or nervous peri-prostatic bundle injury. Experimental model in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effects of tadalafil (TD) in preventing histological alterations of the corpus cavernosum caused by isolated lesions of cavernous nerve (ILCN) and artery (ILCA) in rats. Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned in five groups: G1: control; G2: bilateral ILCN; G3: bilateral ILCA; G4: ILCN+TD; G5: ILCA+TD. The cavernous bodies were submitted to histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry and biochemical analysis. Results: Nerve density was significantly higher in G2 and G4 compared to control (22.62±2.84 and 19.53±3.47 vs. 15.72±1.82; respectively, p<0.05). Smooth muscle density was significantly lower in G2 and G3 in comparison to G1 (12.87±1.90 and 18.93±1.51 vs. 21.78±1.81, respectively; p<0.05). A significant decrease in the sinusoidal lumen area was observed in G2 compared to controls (5.01±1.62 vs. 9.88±3.66, respectively; p<0.05) and the blood vessel density was increased in G2 and G3 (29.32±4.13 e 20.80±2.47 vs. 10.13±2.71, p<0.05). Collagen density was higher in G3 compared to G1 (93.76±15.81 vs. 64.59±19.25; p<0.05). Conclusions: Histomorphometric alterations caused by ILCN were more intense than those produced by vascular injury, but the collagen analyses showed more fibrosis in animals with ILCA. TD was effective in preventing the majority of the alterations induced by the periprostatic bundle injury.

Expression of elastin in rat cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2 / 解剖学报

Objective To detect the expression of elastin in cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2. Methods The five fresh hearts of newborn and adult SD rats are made into frozen slices. Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from the hearts of the twenty neonatal 3 days SD rats by the digestion of 0. 05% trypsin and 0. 075% type II coIlagenase.The technology of immunochemical and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of elastin in rat myocardial tissue, primary cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2. Elastin in supernatant of cultured cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2 was detected by ELISA. Results The co-expression of cardiac troponin T and elastin was found in rat cardiomyocytes, cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2, neonatal and adult SD rat myocardial tissues.The result of immunohistochemistry also revealed the expression of elastin in fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and interstitial substance. A small amount of elastin was detected in the supernatant of cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2. Conclusion Rat cardiomyocytes express elastin, it may be involved in the potential energy of myocardial cells and the construction of intercellular elastic fibers.

Elastin increases biofilm and extracellular matrix production of Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic saprobe fungus that accounts for 90% of cases of pulmonary aspergillosis in immunosuppressed patients and is known for its angiotropism. When it reaches the respiratory tract, A. fumigatus interacts with structural components and blood vessels of the lungs, such as elastin. To understand the effect of this structural component, we examined the effect of elastin on the production and development of the biofilm of A. fumigatus. In RPMI containing 10 mg/mL of elastin, a significant increase (absorbance p < 0.0001; dry weight p < 0.0001) in the production of biofilm was observed in comparison to when RPMI was used alone, reaching a maximum growth of 18.8 mg (dry weight) of biofilm in 72 h. In addition, elastin stimulates the production (p = 0.0042) of extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases (p = 0.005) the hydrophobicity during the development of the biofilm. These results suggest that elastin plays an important role in the growth of A. fumigatus and that it participates in the formation of thick biofilm.

Anti-aging effect of adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium on senescent human dermal fibroblasts / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To study the protective effect of adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium against ultraviolet radiation B (UVB)-induced photoaging and replicative senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).@*Methods@#HDFs were cultured and passaged in vitro, and treated with ADSC-CM after being irradiated once with UVB. The mRNA expression of CollagenⅠ(Col1), CollagenⅢ(Col3) and Elastin were detected by real-time PCR to define the anti-aging effects of ADSC-CM. The protein expressions of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and p-p38 were detected by Western blot.@*Results@#①Both successive passage and UVB irradiation reduced the expression of Col1, Col3 and Elastin in HDFs.②ADSC-CM inhibited the reduction of Col1, Col3 and Elastin protein expressions induced by successive passage and UVB. ③ADSC-CM activated p38 and JNK pathway. Downregulation of p38 MAPK by SB203580 decreased the mRNA expression of Col1, Col3, and Elastin. Inhibiting JNK by SP600125 did not induce significant ECM changes.@*Conclusions@#Both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli can decrease the expression of collagen and elastin, common markers of skin aging in HDFs, and ADSC-CM can attenuate the above decreasing and promoting the expression of ECM by p38 signaling pathway.

The in vivo effect of L-arginine on skin elasticity in mice

ABSTRACT The human skin aging process is a complex mechanism that can be induced both by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Observations include a decrease in the biosynthetic and proliferative capacity of cells, increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases, reduction in collagen type I expression, and the progressive disappearance of elastic tissue in the papillary dermis. L-arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide synthesis, is involved in angiogenesis and cell proliferation, as well as an indirect precursor of collagen synthesis via the proline pathway. The aim of this study was to examine the tensile strength, histology, and immunohistochemistry of female and male mice skin receiving different concentrations of topically applied L-arginine, in order to evaluate the possibility of using L-arginine as an active cosmetic ingredient in antiaging products. The results suggest that the application of L-arginine improves the mechanical resistance of skin from older female mice (20 weeks old) and promotes the formation of a larger amount of collagen and elastic fibers in the skin when applied at a concentration of 15%.

Differential expression of estrogen receptor GPR30 in main supporting ligaments of patients with pelvic organ prolapsed / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To investigate the expression levels of estrogen receptor GPR30, elastin, collagen Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ ), and Col Ⅲ in the uterus round ligament and the cardial ligament in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and main components in extracellular matrix (ECM). Methods · 22 patients with POP (the POP group) and 10 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅲ (the control group) were enrolled. Hysterectomy specimens were collected and expressions of GPR30, elastin, Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ in the uterine round ligament and the cardial ligament tissues were detected with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results · Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GPR30, elastin, Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ in the uterine round ligament and the cardial ligament tissues were significantly lower in the POP group than in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion · The occurrence of POP may be associated with estrogen receptor deficiency and decreased contents of collagen and elastin in relevant tissues. Whether GPR30 is involved in the synthesis, secretion and degradation of ECM major components in pelvic support tissues needs further investigation.

The effect of S1P on HLF cell fibrosis and its mechanism / 实用医学杂志

Objective To study the effect of S1P on HLF cell fibrosis and its mechanism. Methods (1) The expression of ECM in HLF cells was analyzed by using Western Blot after treatment by S1P(1 μmol/L), FTY720-P(5μmol/L),ponesimod(5μmol/L)and SEW2871(5μmol/L)24 h;(2)The HLF cells were pre-treated using selective S1PR antagonist W146(1 μmol/L),JTE-013(0.2 μmol/L),and TY-52156(1.25 μmol/L)1 h before incubation by S1P and S1PR agonists 24 h and then the expression of ECM was analyzed;(3)The HLF cells were pre-incubated using JTE-013(0.2μmol/L)and TY-52156(1.25μmol/L)for 1 h and then the expression of ECM was analyzedafter being treated by S1P and S1PR agonists 24 h. Results (1)S1P and selective S1P receptor agonist increased the expression of ECM to various extents;(2)The S1P1R antagonist W146 did not affectthe expression of ECM induced by S1P and S1PR agonists and S1P2R antagonist JTE-013 and S1P3R antagonist TY-52156 both decreased the expression of ECM induced by S1P and S1PR agonists;(3)The expression of ECM induced by S1P and S1PR agonists further decreased using both JTE-013 and TY-52156 but not using ponesimod. Conclusion S1P2R and S1P3R are activated under the influence of S1P so as to increase the synthesis of ECM and promote fibrosis gene expression in HLF cells.

Differential expression of estrogen receptor GPR30 in main supporting ligaments of patients with pelvic organ prolapsed / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To investigate the expression levels of estrogen receptor GPR30, elastin, collagen Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ ), and Col Ⅲ in the uterus round ligament and the cardial ligament in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and main components in extracellular matrix (ECM). Methods · 22 patients with POP (the POP group) and 10 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅲ (the control group) were enrolled. Hysterectomy specimens were collected and expressions of GPR30, elastin, Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ in the uterine round ligament and the cardial ligament tissues were detected with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results · Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GPR30, elastin, Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ in the uterine round ligament and the cardial ligament tissues were significantly lower in the POP group than in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion · The occurrence of POP may be associated with estrogen receptor deficiency and decreased contents of collagen and elastin in relevant tissues. Whether GPR30 is involved in the synthesis, secretion and degradation of ECM major components in pelvic support tissues needs further investigation.

Does Retaining Ligament Exist in the Neck? / 체질인류학회지

The goal of this study was to determine the characteristics of the horizontal cervical wrinkle and to investigate histological feature, especially with respect to elastin and collagen fiber. Histologic sample were harvested from two fresh adult cadavers where the cervical wrinkle is in the neck. The tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) or Masson's Trichrome. In sections of neck skin, keratinization was observed in the epidermis, and many collagen fibers were observed in the dermis layer as in other skin. Specifically, a lot of short and curly elastic fiber were observed between the collagen fibers in the dermis. These elastic fibers were not stained with eosin and observed in gray. This long ligament-like structures were observed in the dermis. The ligament-like structures were stained with dark red by trichrome. These results indicate that these ligament-like structures are neither typical ligament nor typical smooth muscles. The results obtained from present study showed a ligamentous structure originating from the fascial layer (platysma muscle or investing layer). The results may help to understand the reasons about the formation of horizontal cervical wrinkle.

Structural Changes of the Urinary Bladder After Chronic Complete Spinal Cord Injury in Minipigs / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the structural changes of the urinary bladder after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in minipigs with the primary focus on the analysis of urinary bladder wall proteins and their quantitative distribution. METHODS: Seven Göttingen minipigs (adult, female) underwent a complete spinal cord transection. Follow-up time was 4 months during which the bladder was drained by frequent single catheterisation and data from the bladder diary and daily urine strip test were collected. Samples from the urinary bladder were taken, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and stained for histological analyses. Bladder wall thickness, single tissue quantities/distributions, types I and III collagen, and elastin quantifications were performed. Comparisons to healthy urinary bladder tissue of age-matched minipigs were performed for statistical analyses. RESULTS: No urinary tract infections were observed in our SCI minipig collective during follow-up. A trend towards a reduction in bladder volumes and an increase in incontinence periods were seen. The bladder wall thickness significantly increased after chronic SCI. Furthermore, bladder wall composition was severely altered by a significant loss of smooth muscle tissue and a significant increase in connective tissue. Elastic fibres were reduced in number and altered in their structural appearance after SCI. Type I collagen was significantly increased, while type III collagen was significantly decreased after SCI. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic SCI highlighted that the urinary bladder wall undergoes fibrotic events with reduced contractile and elastic properties due to changes of the bladder wall protein composition. These changes show in detail how SCI severely influences the urinary bladder wall composition and depicts the similarities between minipigs and humans.

Histochemical and immunohistochemical differences between solitary oral fibroma and fibrous papule of the face

Abstract: Background: The morphological similarities between fibrous papules of the face and multiple sporadic oral fibromas were mentioned long ago and a relationship between them has been reported in the literature. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the participation of mast cells, elastin and collagen in a series of oral fibromas and fibrous papules of the face in order to better understand the possible role of these factors in fibrosis and the formation of these lesions. Methods: Thirty cases of oral fibroma involving the buccal mucosa and 30 cases of fibrous papules of the face were selected. Tissue samples were submitted to picrosirius red staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-elastin and anti-tryptase antibodies. Results: The percentage of tryptase-positive mast cells and expression of elastin were higher in cases of fibrous papules of the face (p < 0.05). In contrast, a higher intensity of collagen deposition was observed in oral fibromas. The results showed mast cell accumulation and higher elastin synthesis in fibrous papules of the face, and mast cell accumulation with higher collagen fiber synthesis in oral fibromas. Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that mast cells influence the development and growth of these lesions through different mechanisms.

Clinico‑histopathological study of varicose vein and role of matrix metalloproteinases‑1, matrix metalloproteinases‑9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‑1 in varicose vein formation.

Background and Aims: Varicose vein (VV) is an important cause of morbidity in the young and elderly population. Many studies of the Western country suggest that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of VV, but limited work has been done in Indian population. The aim of this study is to study detailed histology of VV and to see the expression of MMP‑1, MMP‑9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‑1 (TIMP‑1). Materials and Methods: A total of 63 cases of VV and 10 control leg veins were included in this prospective study. Paraffin sections of VV were prepared. Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), Masson trichrome and Verhoeff’s staining were performed. Immunohistochemistry of VV was done with MMP‑1, MMP‑9, and TIMP‑1 antibodies. Cytoplasmic expression of MMP‑1, MMP‑9 and TIMP‑1 were graded as intense positive (++), weak/slight positive (+), and absent (−). Results: Focal intimal thickening (47.6%), increased medial thickening (73%) and fragmentation of elastin fibers (84.1%) were the major histological changes noted in H and E and special stained sections. MMP‑1 expression increased in all layers of VV in 58 cases (92.1%) as compared to control veins. As compared to the control veins, intimal and adventitial expression of MMP‑9 were increased in 31 (49.2%) and 40 (63.5%) cases, respectively. Expression of TIMP‑1 was absent in both the varicose and the control veins. Conclusion: Increased expression of MMP‑1 and MMP‑9 suggests they have an important role in the pathogenesis of VV.

Polymorphisms of elastin and collagen type Ⅰ α2 genes and intracranial aneurysm rupture / 国际脑血管病杂志

Intracranial aneurysms are mainly caused by the local arterial wal defects and the increased intraluminal pressure. Usualy, the unruptured smal aneurysms are asymptomatic, and the ruptured aneurysms can cause subarachnoid hemorrhage. So far, the etiology and pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms are not fuly understood. A lot of evidence has showed that intracranial aneurysms are a complex disease of environmental factors and multi-gene interaction. This article reviews the correlation between polymorphisms of elastin and colagen type Ⅰ α2 genes and intracranial aneurysm.

Venous Invasion in Colorectal Cancer: Impact of Morphologic Findings on Detection Rate / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Venous invasion (VI) is widely accepted as a poor prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC), and is indicated as a high-risk factor determining the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in CRC. However, there is marked interobserver and intraobserver variability in VI identification and marked variability in the real prevalence of VI in CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the detection rate of VI in 93 consecutive cases of T3 or T4 CRC based on the following: original pathology report, review of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides with attention to the "protruding tongue" and "orphan arteriole" signs, and elastic stain as the gold standard. RESULTS: Overall, the detection rate of VI was significantly increased as follows: 14/93 (15.1%) in the original pathology report, 38/93 (40.9%) in review of H&E slides with attention to the "protruding tongue" and "orphan arteriole" signs, and 45/93 (48.4%) using elastic stain. VI detection based on morphologic features showed 77.8% sensitivity and 91.1% specificity and showed a linear correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.727; p < 0.001) with VI detected by elastic stain. In addition, improved agreement between detection methods (detection on the basis of morphologic features, κ=0.719 vs. original pathology report, κ=0.318) was observed using kappa statistics. CONCLUSION: Slide review with special attention to the "protruding tongue" and "orphan arteriole" signs could be used for better identification of VI in CRC in routine surgical practice.

Extracellular Matrix Revisited: Roles in Tissue Engineering / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a heterogeneous, connective network composed of fibrous glycoproteins that coordinate in vivo to provide the physical scaffolding, mechanical stability, and biochemical cues necessary for tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. This review highlights some of the recently raised aspects of the roles of the ECM as related to the fields of biophysics and biomedical engineering. Fundamental aspects of focus include the role of the ECM as a basic cellular structure, for novel spontaneous network formation, as an ideal scaffold in tissue engineering, and its essential contribution to cell sheet technology. As these technologies move from the laboratory to clinical practice, they are bound to shape the vast field of tissue engineering for medical transplantations.

Effects of Enzymatic Hydrolysis on the Antioxidant Activity of Water- Soluble Elastin Extracted from Broiler and Spent Hen Skin.

Poultry by-products are great economic sources that need to be exploited. Poultry skin could be utilized to extract protein particularly elastin, which is often incorporated in the production of functional food, cosmetic industry or medicine due to its antioxidative properties. In this study, water-soluble elastin was successfully extracted from broiler and spent hen skin and analysed for antioxidant activities including DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS and metal chelating activity. Antioxidant activity of elastin extracted from broiler skin hydrolysed by Alcalase (EBA) and Elastase (EBE) also elastin extracted from spent hen skin hydrolyzed by Alcalase (ESA) and Elastease (ESE). The EBE, EBA, ESE and ESA had higher DPPH (16-30, 19-35, 29-48 and 31-50%, respectively), ABTS activity ( 73-79, 60-79, 67-79 and 72-79 %, respectively), and Fe2+ chelating activity ( 65-69, 50-56, 71-77 and 62-70 %, respectively). This concluded that water-soluble elastin is a bioactive component that could potentially be used in the formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.