Abstract
Administration of penicillamine (β, β-dimethylcysteine) results in a great loss of strength of skin with increase in solubility of collagen as in lathyrism. However, the chemical nature of penicillamine and the difference in its effect on crosslinking formation of elastin and collagen, suggest a different mechanism of action from that of lathyrogen such as β-aminaprapionitrile.
Previous investigation of penicillamine dealt almost exclusively with the mode of action. of collagen and elastin maturation, but there is no information available concerning the glycosaminoglycan.
A preliminary investigation was undertaken, therefore, to study the alteration of glycosaminoglycan as well as collagen in aorta when penicillamine was given to rats.
