Increased solubility of collagen. A biochemical defect in the experimental hydralizine-induced collagen disease-like syndrome.

An increase of soluble fractions of collagen and a decrease of insoluble ones was found in the skin of guinea pigs with collagen disease-like syndrome, produced by prolonged treatment with hydralazine. Chromatography studies showed that the collagen alpha chains content in the skin increased and beta-chains decreased under conditions of the development of lupus-like syndrome. The obtained results suggested the inhibition of collagen maturation as one of biochemical defects of connective tissue in drug-induced collagen disease-like syndrome.