Hypothesis / aims of study Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse derive from the loss of connective tissue support, which occur as a consequence of trauma (pregnancy and delivery, obesity and cronically elevated abdominal pressure), ageing and hypoestrogenism. The extracelullar matrix corresponds to a substantial part of connective tissue volume and is responsible for absorbing and res...

Earlier we described a simple and reliable screening procedure in urine for mucopolysaccharidoses based on the color reaction of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) with dimethylmethylene blue. At physiological concentrations of urinary protein, we observed an obvious interference by protein in the assay. By modifying the assay, we abolished the protein interference. The modified procedure is not disturb...

The effects of the administration of normal human plasma to patients affected by mucopolysaccharidoses I and II (Hurler's and Hunter's syndromes) have been evaluated. The infusion was followed by a decreased urinary excretion of relatively large molecular weight glycosaminoglycans and by an increased excretion of their products of degradation. Among the latter, products of the degradation of de...

Skeletal dysplasias are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect growth and development the skeleton, leading to physical deformities other medical problems. High-throughput genome sequencing technologies have made it easier genotype disorder, but do not always reflect phenotypic outcome. CHST3-related skeletal dysplasia is caused by reduced function carbohydrate sulfotransferase sulfates ...

Glycosaminoglycans or sulodexide has shown benefits in early experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN) models, but its efficacy in patients with early stage of DN is unknown. Methods. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to the placebo group and another 20 patients were randomly assigned to receive sulodexide 100 mg/day for 14 weeks. Primary outcome was a change of urinary TGF-beta1, albuminuria...

Abstract This short review describes the assistance of click chemistry in chemical modification glycosaminoglycans. Through an alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, chemically and physiologically stable triazole unit connects glycosaminoglycans with other labelled or attached functionalities. The synthesized glycosaminoglycan (GAG) conjugates act as drug carriers, forming hydrogels n...