Collagen is a denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen.
Collagen is pure protein and makes up approximately one third of all protein in the human body. The collagen family of proteins comprises at least 19 sub-groups.
The major part of collagen consists of extra-cellular fibrils that form a network structure designed for mechanical functions. Certain forms also have a biochemical function.
Over 400 mutations of six different collagen types are known to cause disease. The most important of these are osteogenesis im-perfecta, chondrodysplasia, some forms of osteoporosis and osteoarthrosis.
It has proved possible to induce a series of phenotypes using genetic engineering.
Due to the extensive application possibilities of collagen and the therapeutic interest in the substance, attempts are currently being made worldwide to produce it using genetic engineering techniques (Prockop and Kivirikko, 1995).
Two of the most important amino acid components are proline and glycine. These are the main building blocks of connective tissue, skin, cartilage and bone. Theoretically, collagen could well be regarded as being able to replace diseased or destroyed tissue - as a sort of depot.
From the orthopedic point of view, the positive influence of collagen structure of cartilage in osteoarthritis, the quality of fibres in connective tissue weakness (e.g. hormonal-post-menopausal) and organic bone substance in osteoporosis is of interest.
Collagen molecule is resorbed by the intestine
The question of incorporation of orally administered collagen into tissue is of central interest.
In contrast to earlier thinking, orally administered proteins are absorbed, partly in intact and biologically active form, and can be identified in serum (Seifert, 1976).
The proportion of large-molecular proteins that survive passage through the intestine is approximately 10% (Adam, 1995). Oesser et al.(1998) carried out studies. Collagen was orally administered 14C-gelatine hydrolysate and 14C-proline. After 12 hours, 95% of measurement of radioactivity in cartilage. Condition subsequent to oral administration of radioactive-labeled 14C-gelatine and 14C-proline (Oesser et al. 1998).
the radioactivity had been resorbed by the intestine. The successful oral polio vaccination program confirms that protein molecules can be absorbed by the gastro-intestinal tract.