Collagen biosynthesis, as measured by conversion of 3–4 3H‐proline to 3H‐hydroxyproline, was studied in excised gingival samples utilizing an in vitro tissue slice incubation technique. Samples of clinically normal gingiva and gingiva affected by periodontitis were studied in ten mongoloid patients and eleven non‐mongoloid mentally normal patients. High 3H‐proline uptakes were found in all samples of mongoloid gingiva indicating a high level of collagen synthesis. A possible metabolic block in collagen maturation is suggested as an etiologic factor in the severe form of periodontitis observed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.