The effect of collagen degradation products (CDP) on the central nervous system (CNS).

Rat collagen type I was digested with bacterial collagenase. The peptides obtained were submitted to gel filtration on Sephadex G-25. Two fractions differing in molecular weight (CDP I-3000 D and CDP II-1200 D) were obtained. These fractions administered to rats were found to have an inhibiting effect on the central nervous system (CNS) in Lat's test and the mobility of the animals recorded on a motimeter was found to be reduced. This effect was dependent on the peptide dose and occurred after intravenous (iv) as well as intraventricular (icv) injection.