Oxygen Free Radicals and Dupuytren’s Disease

Abstract

Dupuytren’s contracture is associated with increasing age [1], sex (M gt; F) [1], diabetes mellitus [2,3], heavy alcohol consumptior [4], HIV infection [5], cigarette smoking [6], epilepsy [7] and Colles’ fractures [8], but rarely with rheumatoid arthritis [9]. Two important features of the palmar fascia of Dupuytren’s contracture are an increase in the number of fibroblasts [10], and an increase in the relative amounts of type III collagen [11]. It is likely that these phenomena are associated, as fibroblasts cultured at high density decrease type I collagen production and thus increase the relative amounts of type III collagen [12]. Changes in the glycosaminoglycan content can also be explained by high cell density [13].