The influence of sodium salicylate on the metabolism of collagen

The effect of 300 mg/kg of sodium salicylate on the metabolism of collagen was studied by injecting 14C-proline into rats and determining the specific and total activities of 14C-hydroxyproline in skin collagen fractions and in urine. The administration of sodium salicylate began 28 days before the isotope injection and was continued for a further 28 days. During the first 24 hr after isotope administration specific and total activity of 14C-hydroxyproline in urine was elevated in sodium salicylate treated rats. The total activity of 14C-hydroxyproline in skin and partial activities of acid extractable and insoluble collagen were higher in sodium salicylate treated rats between the first and seventh day after the injection of isotope. Between the 7th and 28th day the total skin activity and partial activity of insoluble collagen was reduced in comparison with control group. These results suggest that sodium salicylate administered in a chronic experiment accelerates the metabolic turnover of collagen.