chondroitin-sulfates and Dupuytren-Contracture

Three fibrocartilages associated with the proximal interphalangeal joint are described--at the attachment of the central slip to bone, within the slip where it passes over the joint, and the volar plate. Material was obtained at surgery following trauma, Dupuytren's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The fibrocartilages were structurally distinct and immunolabelled differently with monoclonal antibodies to extracellular matrix components. All fibrocartilages from normal and Dupuytren's fingers contained chondroitin and keratan sulphate. Type II collagen was present in all attachment zones, although there was little in rheumatoid fingers. It was also present in the dorsal hood of some normal fingers, but not in pathological specimens or the volar plate. The results show that the fibrocartilages are dynamic tissues whose composition varies according to function and use, and changes in disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cartilage, Articular; Chondroitin Sulfates; Collagen; Dupuytren Contracture; Female; Finger Joint; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratan Sulfate; Male; Middle Aged

Dupuytren's contracture tissues were obtained from six patients as excess surgical material. Pieces of these tissues (a total of 38 implants) were placed into subcutaneous pockets in the suprascapular area of nude (athymic) mice. The objective was to determine whether the implant tissues would be maintained in the mouse with the characteristics of Dupuytren's tissue. The implants were removed for study at 14-179 days after implantation. Microvascular anastomosis between implant and host skin was established within the first 14 days. Histologic character and electron microscopic structure of the implants did not change during the course of the study. The implants became reduced in size with time. However, neither the spatial pattern of collagen nor the appearance of fibroblast cells changed. The original high levels of chondroitin-4-sulfate were significantly decreased in the 66- to 179-day postimplantation group, but were not significantly different from the values for normal fascial bands. The hyaluronic acid of the implants increased significantly with time of implantation, but never reached the level found in the normal fascial bands. The use of implants into nude mice may be useful for further experimental studies of Dupuytren's contracture.

Topics: Animals; Chondroitin Sulfates; Collagen; Connective Tissue; Dupuytren Contracture; Fibroblasts; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Microcirculation; Microscopy, Electron

A two-year old boy suffered a contracture of the second and third digit beginning at the age of seven months. The clinical examination suggested a diagnosis of early Dupuytren's disease. A partial fasciectomy was performed. Histological examination showed a fibrosis palmaris similar to Dupuytren's disease. The biochemical examination (Glycans, hyaluronic acid, chrondroitinsulfat, dermatansulfat and heparansulfat) showed also changes in the extracellular proteoglycanmatrix similar to those found in adult Dupuytren's disease.

Topics: Child, Preschool; Chondroitin Sulfates; Dermatan Sulfate; Dupuytren Contracture; Fascia; Glycosaminoglycans; Hand; Hand Deformities, Acquired; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Tendons