Isolation and characterization of glycosaminoglycans in human brain of different age groups

Abstract

Five distinct glycosaminoglycan fractions have been isolated from human brain of various age groups, by employing an improved fractionation procedure. Analysis of these fractions showed that human brain contains hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-4-sulphate, chondroitin-6-sulphate, dermatan sulphate, heparan sulphate and two unidentified low sulphated fractions. The pattern of variation of these compounds with age, indicates that they may be playing an important role in the process of myelination and brain maturation.