Metabolism of 3H-proline in riboflavin deficiency.

Riboflavin deficiency and food restriction were associated with greater solubility and lesser total and insoluble collagen concentration in rat skin. Studies using 3H-proline suggest that the lower collagen concentration under these conditions could be due to a decrease in synthesis as well as slow maturation of collagen. The mechanisms underlying defective cross-link formation appear to be different in food-restricted and riboflavin-deficient rats. Half-life of soluble collagen was not affected in riboflavin deficiency, but it was slightly shorter in food-restricted weight-matched animals.