Effect of Riboflavin Deficiency on Collagen Content of Cornea and Bone

Abstract

Earlier studies in rats showed a reduced skin collagen content and maturity in riboflavin deficiency. To determine whether corneal collagen maturity has any role to play in the etiology of cataract formation in riboflavin deficiency, we measured the effect of this deficiency on total and salt-soluble collagen in the rat cornea. Total collagen content of bone was also determined since this tissue contains the highest amount of collagen in the body.
Neither bone collagen level, corneal collagen content, nor salt-solubility of collagen were affected thus suggesting tissue specificity with regard to the effect of riboflavin deficiency on collagen metabolism.