EXCRETION PATTERNS OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS IN THE URINE OF NORMAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS

The glycosaminoglycans excretion was studied in the urine of normal human subjects from newborns to 68 years of age. The glycosaminoglycans preparation was made by digesting the urine with proteolytic enzymes followed by removal of enzyme and undigested protein and finally freeze-drying of the supernatant. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was carried out on these preparations. Electrophoresis of urinary concentrates results in three alcian blue positive fractions. The proportion with the mobility of chondroitin sulfates fraction was high in childhood and thereafter decreased gradually with age, and that of heparan sulfate and keratan sulfate fraction was low in childhood. Any significant change in the fraction corresponding with hyaluronic acid could not be observed throughout the life.