acid in collagens, by fluorescence using
inverse phase HPLC. Results indicated
a significant increase in total collagen
level, respectively by 21% and 30% (see
Figure 7).
GAG biosynthesis: GAGs are a
family of highly sulphated linear
polysaccharides of repeating units of
alternating uronic acids and amino
sugars, including hyaluronic acid (HA);
chondroitin sulfate (CS) A, B, and C;
heparin (HP); heparan sulfate and kera-tan sulfate. Most GAGs are covalently
linked to tissue-specific core proteins
to form proteoglycans. It is well-known
that GAG-rich ECM is a pool for growth
factors and other agents that control cell
behavior. GAGs interact with various
proteins and regulate cell development,
adhesion, differentiation and proliferation, as well as tissue elasticity and
suppleness.
To measure the total amount of
GAGs, cells were incubated during
24 hr with a radioactive precursor
([3H]-glucosamine), fixing these kinds
of extracellular matrix compounds.
Then, fibroblasts were chemically
and biologically treated to account
for the radioactivity incorporated
into the GAGs. Fibroblasts in culture
were treated with 0.5% and 1.0%
polyglucuronic acid, and found to
significantly increase the neosynthesis
of total GAGs by 18% and 26%, respectively (see Figure 8).
Integrin biosynthesis: Integrins are
a family of cell adhesion receptors that
recognize mainly ECM and cell-surface
ligands. All integrins are noncovalently
linked transmembranar αβ heterodim-
Figure 5. Search for aP2/FABP4 protein by Western Blot in control sample cells and
treated cells sample; detection was carried out by assessing protein ß-actine
Figure 6. Microscopic analysis of control pre-adipocytes and pre-adipocytes treated with
0.5% polyglucuronic acid
Vol. 126, No. 3/March 2011
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