Chemical changes in rabbit aorta and ear cartilage induced by papain and calciferol

Abstract

Chemical changes induced by papain and calciferol in rabbit -ear cartilage and aorta have been determined. Papain significantly lowered the hexosamine and uronic acid contents of ear cartilage whether calciferol was given simultaneously or not. Calciferol lowered the hexose content when it was given alone or with papain. The weight of dry aortic tissue was almost doubled in the calciferol-treated rabbits owing to heavy mineralization. Aortic hexosamine, uronic acid and Ca were increased in the calciferol-treated animals, whereas the hexose content was unchanged. In the papain-treated animals there was a decrease in aortic hexosamine and uronic acid. However, when given simultaneously with calciferol, papain had no effect on the extent of mineralization.