[Collagen metabolism in Dupuytren's contracture].

Impairments in collagen metabolism were observed in patients with Dupuytren's contracture. These impairments were manifested as an increased excretion of hydroxyproline with urine and a decrease in content of the amino acid in tissues of aponeurosis palmaris of the patients. The alterations correlated with the damage caused by contracture. Increased catabolism of collagen appears to be the main reason of the metabolic impairments observed in Dupuytren's contracture, considering the opposite direction of changes in hydroxyproline content in urine and in aponeurosis palmaris of the patients. Impairments in collagen metabolism were of considerable importance in Dupuytren's contracture as demonstrated by the correlation between biochemical alterations and severity of the pathology. The Dupuytren's contracture might be considered as a disease affecting the connective tissue.