The distribution of unsulphated and sulphated glycosaminoglycans in palmar fascia from patients with Dupuytren's disease and healthy subjects.

Eighty specimens from 20 patients with Dupuytren's disease and 7 biopsies of healthy palmar fascia were analysed for their glycosaminoglycan isomer patterns with a combined enzymatic/HPLC method. The diseased portions of palmar fascia tissue were characterized by elevated total glycosaminoglycans together with a relative increase in the sulphated fractions. The macroscopic stages of nodules, bands and unaffected tissue could be classified very well by multivariate statistical analysis on the basis of their glycosaminoglycan patterns. The biochemical analysis provided evidence of the pathological process even in those specimens that did not yet show any clinical symptoms of the disease.