Items for "degenerative disease"

Fine characterization of mitral valve glycosaminoglycans and their modification with degenerative disease

Background: The levels and fine structure of complex polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), were determined in segments of the posterior mitral valve leaflet (MVL) taken from 15 patients affected by mitral regurgitation and degenerative disease and were compared with segments from 15 multiorgan donors.

Methods: MVL GAGs were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and by HPLC and fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis to evaluate disaccharide patterns after treatment with chondroitinase ABC.

Results: GAGs from the control group were composed of approximately 37% hyaluronic acid and 63% chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate with a charge density of approximately 0.61...

Keywords: chondroitin sulfate, degenerative disease, Glycosaminoglycans, Hyaluronic acid, mitral valve