01741nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653000900055653002200064653001300086653002200099653001900121653001400140653001100154653004000165653001200205653001600217100001500233700001500248700001300263700001200276245014700288300001000435490000700445520098500452022001401437       1995                            d  c1995 Nov10aAged10aAged, 80 and over10aCollagen10aConnective Tissue10aElastic Tissue10aEpidermis10aHumans10aImage Processing, Computer-Assisted10aleprosy10aMiddle Aged1 aNamisato M1 aKameyama K1 aYajima M1 aAsano G00a[The dermal connective tissue of long quiescent leprosy patients. Part 2. Comparison of the volumes of collagen with those of elastic fibers].  a220-90 v643 a<p>We studied dermal connective tissue of leprosy patients(Pa) in inactive condition. The dermal thickness(D) and the volumes of collagen and elastic fibers were measured utilizing automated computerized image analyzer. The length of each elastic fibers(E) in lower legs were also measured. The E in upper dermis of forearms were observed microscopically. All these were compared with age-matched control(Co). We got the following results accordingly. There was a relative increase of E in Pa's limb skin in spite of greatly decreased dermal thickness and fibrous components. The influence of sun exposure could not be recognized in this result. Each elastic fibers of Pa were longer than that of Co. The increased E in upper dermis was evident in Co's forearms, but not in Pa's. From our results, it is conceivable that the Pa's E either outlast or are overproduced exceedingly the collagen fibers. The factors that may account for these results are remained to be clarified.</p>  a0386-3980