| 摘要 |
Disclosed is a method for forming peptide-free pyridinium crosslinks. In the method, a sample containing one or more pyridinium crosslink-containing collagen peptides is mixed with: i) at least one acid reagent having a pKa less than or equal to 2 and ii) at least one reducing agent, which preferably contains a free thiol, such that the acid reagent and reducing agent may be separate compounds or may be combined in a single compound, and the mixture is heated for a time sufficient to convert substantially all of the pyridinium cross links to their peptide-free forms. The method provides enhanced cross link yields and sensitivity relative to prior methods, particularly for blood samples. The invention also includes a method for measuring pyridinoline and/or deoxypyridinoline crosslinks in a sample, methods for assessing a level of collagen degradation in a subject, and kits and reagents therefor.
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