Longevity of elastin in human intervertebral disc as probed by the racemization of aspartic acid

► d-Asp content of elastin increased linearly with age for normal and degenerate IVDs. ► Pentosidine content increased linearly for normal and degenerate IVD tissues combined. ► Signs of new elastin synthesis were found for degenerate IVD above 50 years. ► d-Asp and pentosidine may be used as markers in the aging process of IVD. ► IVD elastin is metabolically stable and long-lived in human disc tissues.