Thonar E J, Pachman L M, Lenz M E, Hayford J, Lynch P, Kuettner K E
Department of Biochemistry, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
J Clin Chem Clin Biochem. 1988 Feb;26(2):57-63. doi: 10.1515/cclm.1988.26.2.57.
Serum was obtained from 155 children at the time of admission to hospital for elective surgery. The concentration of serum keratan sulphate was determined by an ELISA which uses an antibody specific for keratan sulphate, a molecule found predominantly in cartilage. Concentrations of keratan sulphate rise progressively during the first four years of life (0-2: mean = 357 micrograms/l; 2-4: mean = 422 micrograms/l) and then remain high until 12 years of age (mean = approx. 500 micrograms/l). At this time, concentrations drop markedly (13-year olds: mean = 377 micrograms/l; 14-year olds: mean = 318 micrograms/l). After age 15, concentrations continue to fall toward the concentrations found in normal adults. Serum concentrations did not show significant differences with respect to disease category, sex or race but were found to vary, sometimes markedly, from child to child at any one age. The results suggest human cartilage undergoes significant changes in metabolic activities during maturation. Measurements of keratan sulphate concentration in serum may prove useful in studying the biochemical and physiological bases of these changes and in monitoring growth or endochondral ossification during maturation.
在155名儿童因择期手术入院时采集了血清。血清硫酸角质素浓度通过酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）来测定，该方法使用一种对硫酸角质素具有特异性的抗体，硫酸角质素是一种主要存在于软骨中的分子。硫酸角质素浓度在生命的前四年中逐渐升高（0 - 2岁：平均值 = 357微克/升；2 - 4岁：平均值 = 422微克/升），然后一直保持在较高水平直至12岁（平均值约为500微克/升）。在这个时候，浓度会显著下降（13岁儿童：平均值 = 377微克/升；14岁儿童：平均值 = 318微克/升）。15岁以后，浓度继续下降，趋向于正常成年人的浓度水平。血清浓度在疾病类别、性别或种族方面未显示出显著差异，但发现在任何一个年龄，儿童之间的浓度有时会有明显差异。结果表明，人类软骨在成熟过程中代谢活动会发生显著变化。血清中硫酸角质素浓度的测量可能有助于研究这些变化的生化和生理基础，以及监测成熟过程中的生长或软骨内骨化。
