Veränderungen der quervernetzungen im kollagenen bindegewebe bei dermatoliposklerose

Aim: Lipodermotosclerosis in the context of chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by an accumulation of collagen and an increase of trifunctional collagen cross-links typical for skeletal tissues. In the study presented here, the question is answered, whether this increase is due to an increase of all collagen cross-links or whether it is an isolated process. Method: Skin biopsies from 15 patients with lipodermatosclerosis and venous leg ulcer were analysed. The concentration of hydroxylysine- and lysine-derived di- and trifunctional crosslinks were analysed after hydrolysis of the specimens by amino acid analysis. Results: The concentration of hydroxylysine-derived collagen crosslinks showed a marked increase. In contrary, the concentration of total lysine-derived crosslinks decreased significantly. Conclusion: Lipodermatosclerosis is marked by a characteristic change of collagen crosslinks leading to the majority of skeletal-type crosslinks in the skin.