Age-related calcium/magnesium ratio in the ligamenta flava.

Abstract

The Ca/Mg ratio in fibrous connective tissue may be related to its elastic property. Ligamenta flava were obtained from 76 patients during lumbar disc surgery, and Ca and Mg levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Ca/Mg ratio was almost constant throughout all age groups. It is concluded that the constancy of the Ca/Mg ratio throughout the lifetime is an integral quality of elastic fibers which may be explained by the biological long half-life of elastin.