Effect of D‐Penicillamine on Collagen, Glycosaminoglycans, DNA and RNA of Granulation Tissue and Connective Tissue of Skin, Bone and Aorta in Rats

Abstract

Granulation tissue was produced by subcutaneous implantation of viscose‐cellulose sponges on rats. The effect of D‐penicillamine 500 mg/kg/day for 10 days on granulation tissue and the connective tissue of skin, bone and aorta was studied by comparison of treated animals with operated and unoperated controls. In addition, the effect of sponge implantation on intact tissues was studied by comparison between the control groups. The amount of granulation tissue was not affected by D‐penicillamine, and the granuloma‐DNA content even increased. D‐penicillamine increased the amount of salt soluble collagen in all tissues consistent with an inhibition of collagen crosslinking as reflected by increased aldehyde content and α/β chain ratio in soluble skin collagen. Skin appeared to be most sensitive. The content of free hydroxyproline and RNA and the RNA/DNA ratio in skin decreased suggesting a decreased collagen biosynthesis. The hydroxylation of proline and lysine was not affected by the treatment. The water percentage of aorta increased during D‐penicillamine treatment, and the 35S‐sulphate uptake in the sulphated glycosaminoglycans was stimulated in all tissues, in granulation tissue mainly in the chondroitin‐4/6‐sulphate fraction. No quantitative glycosaminoglycan changes occurred in granulation tissue. Sponge implantation caused an increase in the amount of salt soluble skin collagen without any change in α/β chain ratio and aldehyde content of purified, soluble collagen. D‐penicillamine plus operation reduced the collagen content of aorta. The effects of D‐penicillamine on connective tissue compounds may be of importance for its antirheumatic efficacy, but the accompanying effect on normal tissues may imply side effects.