This book describes every manner in which collagen is involved in normal anddisease-altered states of the various organs and systems. In the first part of the book the biochemical aspects of collagens are reviewed, including their structure, heterogeneity, syntheses, and degradation.
The main part focuses on the involvement of collagen in bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, heart, vessels, lungs,
liver, skin, eye, ear, teeth, periodontal tissues, kidneys and reproductive, hemopoietic,and nervous systems. The influence of radiation and nutrition on collagen, the role of collagen in neoplasms, the hormonal control of its metabolism, immunobiology and the pharmacology of collagen are also described. The most important feature of the book is the comprehensive review of the medical aspects of collagen, from those known in detail to those only hypothesized including hereditary disorders affecting collagen and so-called collagen diseases. Each chapter reviewsknown or possible mechanisms of collagen involvement and changes in indices of collagen which can be measured in clinical practice to monitor these phenomena. The fact that collagen is involved into the pathophysiology of almost all organs and body systems means that physicians in almost all branches of medicine will find this book of great interest.