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Definition and characteristics of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) and hylans |
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| Definition |
Characteristics |
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| Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) or sodium hyaluronate |
Long, nonsulfated, straight chains of variable length |
| Repeating disaccharide unit of N-acetylglucosamine and glucuronic acid |
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| Forms a randomized coil in physiological solvents |
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| Average MW 4–5 million Da |
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| Hylans |
Crosslinked hyaluronan chains in which the carboxylic and N-acetyl groups are unaffected |
| MW of Hylan A is 6 million Da |
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| Can be water-insoluble as a gel (e.g. hylan B) or membrane bound |
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MW, molecular weight. | |
Moreland Arthritis Res Ther 2003 5:54 doi:10.1186/ar623 |
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