Structure is very simple – everything else concerning the molecule is unusal”
Prof. Prehm – Biopolymers Vol. V.
- Hyaluronan* is a unique, naturally occuring biopolymer, found as a constituent of all body fluids and tissues in higher concentrations in umbilical cord, vitreus, skin, synovial fluids, synovial tissue - an ubiquitous substance
- Considered as an extracellular space-filling, structure stabilising, cell-coating and cell-protective polysaccharide - a "tissue organiser"
- Hyaluronan has an extremely high - in fact the highest known - water-retaining capacity, 1 g hyaluronan can associate with up to 10000 times of its own mass of water and this is the only biopolymer retaining 30% water upon drying out in ambient temperature - a "wet-in-dry matrix"
- As an essential constituent of healthy skin hyaluronan is responsible for maintaining tissue structural integrity, elasticity and plasticity of the skin - a "tissue scaffolder"
- Ideal medium for regulated diffusion and delivery of biomolecules responsible for tissue regeneration and reconstruction of connective tissue following trauma - a "tissue regenerator"
- Hyaluronan shows unique viscoelastic properties, that's why it has already been widely used in different fields such as an aid in cataract surgery, lubricant eye drops, intraarticular injections for inflammed joints, wound dressings, dermocosmetics, antiwrinkle injections, antiadhesion aid in abdominal surgery, etc. - a versatile biopolymer
- These characteristics of hyaluronan have given rise to viscotherapy - a new therapeutical approach
Additional surprising facts:
- the structure of hyaluronan remained unchanged through evolution
- the ovum is surrounded by a protective hyaluronan layer serving as a selective barrier for the most viable sperms
- fetal wounds heal without scarring which is largely attributable to the extremely high hyaluronan content of the fetal skin
- here is an age-related loss of hyaluronan in the skin (HA content of the skin declines to 1/4 between the age of 20 and 75)
*hyaluronan is a term encompassing the names used for the different forms the molecule can take, such as: hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid sodium salt, HA, NaHA etc.
Further information, useful links:
- The Chemistry and Biology and Medical Applications of Hyaluronan and its Derivatives (Edited by: T. C. Laurent, - Portland Press, 1998
- Hyaluronan (Edited by: J. F. Kennedy, G. O. Phillips, P. A. Williams, V. C. Hascall - Woodhead Publishing Ltd. 2002
- Chemistry and Biology of Hyaluronan (Edited by H. G. Garg, C. A. Hales - Elsevier, 2004)
- Hyaluronan biomaterials: medical applications (E. A. Balázs, E. Leshchiner, N. Larsen, P. Band - In Handbook of Biomaterials and Applications, Chapter 52 (edited by D. L. Wise), Marcel Dekker Inc.)
Please be aware that by selecting any link below, you are leaving the CURIOSIN® web-site. These links are only provided as a convenience to our web-site visitors; Richter does not ensure the validity or confirm the information on these third-party web-sites.
|