Mammalian collagens exhibit weak intrinsic UV fluorescence that depends on the age and previous history of the sample. Post-translational modifications result in additional fluorescent products (e.g. DOPA, dityrosine, and advanced glycation end products (AGE)). UV radiation can cause longer wavelength fluorescent oxidative bands. These alterations can assess the extent of photolysis. We describe the ground- and excited-state oxidative transformations of newly-purchased type I calf skin collagens (samples #092014 and #072012) and a 7-year-old sample (#072005). We compare the effects of UV radiation (mainly 254 nm) and age on the photochemical reaction kinetics and fluorescence spectral distribution of type I calf skin collagen at pH 7.4. The fluorescence spectra of samples #072012 and #092014 were similar but not identical to pure tyrosine, whereas #072005 indicated significant “dark” oxidation at the expense of tyrosine. Fading of oxidized product(s) at 270/360 nm is second-order. Build-up of 325/400 nm (dityrosine) fluorescence is linear with time. Rate parameters r2 and r1 were respectively proportional to second order disappearance of ground state oxidation products and the quasi–first-order photochemical formation of dityrosine. There is a reciprocal relationship between the rates of decrease in the 270/360 nm fluorescence and concomitant increase in 325/400 nm fluorescence. Their relative rates depend on the age of the collagen sample. There is a reciprocal relationship between r1 and r2. This relationship results because both ground state autoxidation and excited state photo-dimerization proceed via a common tyrosyl radical intermediate. Water of hydration appears to play a role in generating tyrosyl radical.
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