Biochemical indices of reparative skin transplants in human fetuses and adults

Summary The data presented characterize nitrogen composition and biochemical changes in transplants from the human embryo and adult man skin. As compared to adult, the human embryo skin contains more water soluble nitrogen substances, viz., residual and polypeptide nitrogen, free amino acids, as well as cystine and lysine. Protein disintegration of the skin characterized by autolysis, proteolysis, and hydrolysis coefficients is much more rapid in the human embryo than in the adult. Redistribution of nitrogen substances during the embryonic skin disintegration is attended by a considerable rise in the free amino acid content. High lability of proteins in the embryonic skin, as well as a high content of proteolytic enzymes in the latter, provides for intensive protein disintegration and resynthesis which is conductive to a more rapid desquamation of necrotic tissues, and to a more rapid healing of the skin defect. This shows the expediency of using the embryonic skin in homoplasty.Presented by V. V. Parin, Active Member, Academy of Medical Sciences, USSR Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 58, No. 10, pp. 74–77, October, 1964