Collagen components in the duodenal and rectal mucosa in progressive systemic sclerosis and other diseases.

Small intestinal mucosa from 14 patients suffering from progressive systemic sclerosis and 22 patients with various other diseases was analysed for collagen components. There was no significant difference in the concentration of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline between the two groups. Rectal mucosa from 11 progressive systemic sclerosis patients, 5 patients with ulcerative colitis and 7 patients with various other diseases was analysed for collagen components. No significant difference was demonstrated in the concentration of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline between progressive systemic sclerosis patients and patients with various other diseases, but in patients with ulcerative colitis the concentration of hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline were found to be significantly lower than in the two other groups.