acid-phosphatase and Dupuytren-Contracture

Forty three cases of palmar fibromatosis were studied by light and electron microscopy, enzyme histochemistry, and ultrastructural immunohistochemistry. By electron microscopy most of the cells composing the nodules in both the proliferative and the involutional stages were identical to myofibroblasts. The myofibroblasts in the involutional nodules often possessed microfilament aggregates probably representing contraction of micro(actin)filaments in the cytoplasm. The proliferative nodules revealed small perivascular haemorrhages and haemosiderin deposits accompanied by accumulation of macrophages and some lymphocytes; these inflammatory cells possibly secrete a certain growth factor inducing proliferation of genetically abnormal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Diaminopeptidase IV was detected in myofibroblasts and fibroblasts by enzyme histochemistry and ultrastructural immunohistochemistry; the enzyme may play a role in the metabolism of intercellular substances. Some perivascular mesenchymal cells, interpreted as variants of myofibroblasts, had moderate activity of alkaline phosphatase.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4; Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases; Dupuytren Contracture; Female; Humans; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged

Activities of ten main metabolic pathway enzymes and seven lysosomal enzymes were determined in specimens from human normal palmar fascia and Dupuytren's contracture. The activities of the enzymes tested are 2-3 times higher in fresh specimens of Dupuytren's contracture. There are no differences in the activity distribution patterns of both these specimens, or in the absolute activities calculated in relation of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activities. With the exception of adenylate kinase and pyruvate kinase, the activities of main metabolic pathway enzymes based on the DNA content showed significantly lower activities in Dupuytren's contracture tissue than in palmar fascia. Lysosomal enzymes exhibit no significant differences of activity in the respective specimens. However, the lysosomal enzyme activities of cultured fibroblasts are lower than the corresponding activities from tissue specimens. The enzyme activities per DNA content in cultured fibroblasts are 10-50 times higher than in tissue specimens. The enzyme activities in cultured fibroblasts decrease with age or density of the cells in culture. The increased metabolic activity of the diseased tissues in Dupuytren's contracture is due to the higher cell content of the afflicted portions of the tissue, but individual enzymes show no qualitative changes in activity and there are no increases of enzyme activity per cell (DNA).

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Dupuytren Contracture; Fascia; Fibroblasts; Glycoside Hydrolases; Humans; Lysosomes; Oxidoreductases; Peptide Hydrolases; Phosphotransferases; Transaminases

Several enzymes participating in glucose metabolism and some of the acid hydrolases were assayed in palmar fascia and Dupuytren's contracture with fluorometric microanalytical methods. The enzyme activities of glucose metabolism were lower in normal palmar fascia than in dermis. The fascia of Dupuytren's contracture exhibited a general increase in the enzyme activities of glucose catabolism. Little alteration was found in alanine aminotransferase and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase activity in the lesion. Lysosomal hydrolytic enzyme activities were increased five to ten times in Dupuytren's tissue. The dermis overlying Dupuytren's contracture exhibited an increase in the enzyme activities of glucose catabolism, but to a lesser degree than did the fascia of the lesion. The epidermis of involved palmar skin displayed normal enzyme activities.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Alanine Transaminase; Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Dupuytren Contracture; Fascia; Glucose; Hand; Humans; Middle Aged; Phosphoglucomutase; Phosphorylases; Phosphotransferases; Skin