Changes in thermal denaturation properties of the long head of the biceps during lifetime

Long head of the biceps (LHB) is an intra-articular tendon component of the shoulder joint. The function of this tendon is complex. First, it is an origin of flexion in upper limb, and second it plays role in joint stabilisation during shoulder movements. Histological type of tendon tissues is connective tissue. The mechanical behaviour of connective tissue is primarily determined by the composition and organisation of collagens. In tendons, type I collagen is the principal structural element of the extracellular matrix, which acts to transmit force between bones or bone and muscle. Owing to the special localisation of this tendon, the intra-articular mechanical forces affect it to a considerable extent. The LHB is known as a source of pain in pathologic states of the shoulder joint. The goal of this study was to establish the calorimetric standards of the LHB in different ages, and to observe the changes of thermal properties of collagen during lifetime. LHB samples were taken from 38 cadavers (between ages 0 and 90 years) without macroscopic sign of shoulder pathology. DSC analyses were performed with SETARAM Micro DSC-II. The thermal denaturation parameters varied between T (m) (A degrees C): 57, Delta H (J/g): 0.26 (age: 0 year) and T (m) (A degrees C): 62.92, Delta H (J/g): 1.28 (age: 90 years). The ageing of collagenous tendon tissue can be clearly followed in changes of thermal denaturation properties. The knowledge of the ageing of normal collagen provides a good basis to analyse further the LHB pathology.