Age-related changes of elastin content in human intervertebral discs.

It was found that the ageing process is accompanied by significant changes of elastin content in human intervertebral discs. In the case of annuli fibrosi only a slight age-related increase during the first four decades of life followed by a decrease in later periods of life were observed. In the case of nuclei pulposi the changes were much more apparent. A systematic decrease in elastin: collagen ratio was observed, especially in the case of nuclei pulposi. An increase in elastin: GAGs ratio was observed during the first 4 decades of life. After that period no further changes of the ratio were found.