Swelling of Collagen Fiber by Guanidine Hydrochloride and Its Calcification.

Abstract

When a rat tail tendon swollen after incubation in guanidine hydrochloride was soaked in an artificial calcification solution, its calcification was promoted. X-ray small angle scattering of the tendon suggested the formation of cracks in the tendon collagen. The cracks may provide the location and sites for nucleations of calcium phosphate crystals. Decorin, a powerful inhibitor of calcification, is eluted out by the guanidine hydrochloride treatment.