Abstract
The molecular weight distributions of chondroitin sulphate from normal articular cartilage of the lower femoral epiphysis from human autopsy cases of different ages and from osteoarthritic cartilage have been determined by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The polysaccharide samples fell within the same molecular weight range but differed with respect to molecular weight distribution. The average molecular weight of chondroitin sulphate from normal articular cartilage was higher in newborn and young individuals than in adults or the aged. Chondroitin sulphate from osteoarthritic cartilage had a lower molecular weight than that from macroscopically normal cartilage. The observed variations in polysaccharide chain length are discussed.
Résumé
Le poids moléculaire du sulfate de chondroitine de cartilage articulaire normal et de l'épiphyse inférieure fémorale de cas d'autopsie, d'âges variés, et de cartilage ostéo-arthritique a été déterminé par chromatographie de gel sur Sephadex G-200. Les échantillons de polysaccharide se situent dans les mêmes variations de poids moléculaire, mais diffèrent par la distribution de ce dernier. Le poids moléculaire moyen de sulfate de chondroitine du cartilage articulaire normal est plus élevé chez le nouveauné et les sujets jeunes que chez l'adulte ou le vieillard. Le sulfate de chondroitine de cartilage ostéo-arthritique a un poids moléculaire inférieur que celui du cartilage macroscopiquement normal. La signification des variations dans la longueur des chaines polysaccharidiques est discutée.
Zusammenfassung
Die Molekulargewichts-Verteilung von Chondroitinsulfat im normalen Gelenkknorpel der unteren Femora-Epiphyse (menschliche Autopsien von verschiedenen Altersgruppen) und im osteo-arthritischen Knorpel wurde mittels Gel-Chromatographie auf Sephadex G-200 bestimmt. Die Polysaccharidproben fielen in denselben Molekulargewichts-Bereich, aber die Molekulargewichts-Verteilung war unterschiedlich. Das durchschnittliche Molekulargewicht des Chondroitinsulfates von normalem Gelenkknorpel war bei Neugeborenen und jungen Individuen höher als bei erwachsenen oder älteren Personen. Chondroitinsulfat von osteoarthritischem Knorpel hatte das niedrigere Molekulargewicht als dasjenige von makroskopisch normalem Knorpel. Die beobachteten Variationen in den Längen der Polysaccharidketten werden diskutiert.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Antonopoulos, C.A.: A modification for the determination of sulphate in mucopolysaccharides by the benzidine method. Acta chem. scand.16, 1521–1522 (1962).
Antonopoulos, C.A.: Separation of glucosamine and galactosamine on the microgram scale and their quantitative determination. Ark. Kemi (Stockh.)25, 243–247 (1966).
Antonopoulos, C.A., Borelius, E., Gardell, S., Hamnström, B., Scott, J.E.: The precipitation of polyanions by long chain aliphatic ammonium compounds. Elution in salt solution of mucopolysaccharide-quaternary ammonium complexes adsorbed on a support. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.)54, 213–226 (1961).
Antonopoulos, C.A., Engfeldt, B., Gardell, S., Hjertquist, S.-O., Solheim, K.: Isolation and identification of the glycosaminoglycans from fracture callus. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst).101, 150–156 (1965a).
Antonopoulos, C.A., Gardell, S., Hamnström, B.: Separation of the glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides) from aorta by a column procedure using quaternary ammonium compounds. J. Atheroscler. Res.5, 9–15 (1965b).
Balazs, E.A., Berntsen, K.O., Karossa, J., Swann, D.A.: An automated method for the determination of hexuronic acids. Analyt. Biochem.12, 547–558 (1965).
Bollet, A.J., Nance, J.L.: Biochemical findings in normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage. II. Chondroitin sulphate concentration and chain length, water and ash content. J. clin. Invest.45, 1170–1177 (1966).
Dische, E.: A new specific color reaction of hexuronic acids. J. biol. Chem.167, 189–198 (1947).
Dreywood, R.: Qualitative tests for carbohydrate material. Industr. Enging Chem. (Anal)18, 499 (1946).
Gardner, D.L.: Pathology of the connective tissue diseases. London: Edward Arnold Publ. Ltd 1965.
Hjertquist, S.-O.: The glycosaminoglycans (Mucopolysaccharides) of the epiphyseal plates in normal and rachitic dogs. Studies using a column procedure with cetyl pyridinium chloride. Acta Soc. Med. upsalien.69, 83–104 (1964).
Hjertquist, S.-O., Engfeldt, B.: Chemical studies on the glycosaminoglycans of human articular cartilage in aging and in osteoarthritis. Acta path. microbiol. scand., Suppl.187, 40–41 (1967).
Hjertquist, S.-O., Lemperg, R.: Studies of autologous diced costal cartilage transplant. III. With special regard to glycosaminoglycans, hydroxyproline, calcium and35S-sulphate incorporationin vitro after intramuscular implantation. Acta Soc. Med. upsalien.72, 173–198 (1967).
Hjertquist, S.-O., Lemperg, R.: Indentification and concentration of the glycosaminoglycans of human articular cartilage in relation to age and osteoarthritis. Calc. Tiss. Res. (in press).
Hjertquist, S.-O., Vejlens, L.: The glycosaminoglycans of dog compact bone and epiphyseal cartilage in the normal state and in experimental hyperparathyreoidism. Calc. Tiss. Res.2, 314–333 (1968).
Laurent, T.C.:In vitro studies on the transport of macromolecules through the connective tissue. Fed. Proc.25, 1128–1133 (1966).
Laurent, T.C.: In: The chemical physiology of mucopolysaccharides, ed. by G. Quintarelli, p. 153–170. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1968.
Laurent, T.C., Anseth, A.: Studies on corneal polysaccharides. II. Characterization. Exp. Eye Res.1, 99–105 (1961).
Lehtonen, A.: The mucopolysaccharides in ageing experimental granulation tissue. Acta physiol. scand., Suppl.310, 1–78 (1968).
Lindahl, U., Axelsson, O.: Identification of iduronic acid as the major sulfated uronic acid of heparin. J. biol. Chem.246, 74–82 (1971).
Lindahl, U., Wasteson, Å.: In: Chemistry and molecular biology of the intercellular matrix, ed. by E.A. Balazs, p. 867–872. New York: Academic Press 1970.
Schubert, M., Hamerman, D.: In: A primer on connective tissue biochemistry, p. 247–268. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1968.
Thunell, S.: A micro procedure for the study of depolymerization of glycosaminoglycans by testicular hyaluronidase. Ark. Kemi (Stockh.)27, 33–44 (1967).
Wasteson, Å.: A method for the determination of molecular weight dispersion in chondroitin sulphate on a microgram level. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.)177, 152–154 (1969).
Wasteson, Å.: Properties of fractionated chondroitin sulphate from ox nasal septa. Biochem. J.122, 477–485 (1971a).
Wasteson, Å.: A method for the determination of the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of chondroitin sulphate. J. Chromat.59, 87–97 (1971b).
Wasteson, Å., Wessler, E.: Molecular size and xylose content of urinary glycosaminoglycans. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.)252, 13–17 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hjertquist, SO., Wasteson, Å. The molecular weight of chondroitin sulphate from human articular cartilage. Calc. Tis Res. 10, 31–37 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012533
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012533