FRACTIONATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS OF MAMMALIAN ORIGIN

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG), occurring as complex mixtures in many animal tissues, can be separated into individual components taking advantage of differences in charge density or complexing properties. Each mixture represents a special problem because of different degrees of heterogeneity of components as regards the degree of sulfation and the molecular weight. The fractionation of GAG extracts from a typical source (pig duodenum), performed in order to make individual GAG available for pharmacological tests, is described. The composition of the extracts was monitored at various steps of fractionation by quantitative cellulose acetate electrophoresis and NMR spectroscopy. The purified isolated GAG (heparin, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfates and hyaluronic acid) were characterized by various physico-chemical and enzymic methods. © 1979 The Italian Pharmacological Society.