[Histochemical study of mucopolysaccharides of the tissue of fibrous rings of the human heart in the age aspect].

The content of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) and its dynamics with age in the tissue of fibrous rings of the human heart was studied. The studies were conducted on 88 hearts of patients who had died of various causes not connected with disorders of the cardiovascular system. The tissues of the human heart fibrous rings were extremely rich in both acid and neutral (of the type glyco- and mucoproteids) MPS. In newborns in the main substance of fibrous rings, along with hyaluronic acid, there were found chondroitin sulphate A and C, in the fibrous ring of the aortic valve--in small amounts chondroitin sulphate B. In childhood the content of chondroitin sulphate B continues to grow. In adulthood chondroitin sulphate B becomes a predominant component, no hyaluronic acid is detected. After 45 years of age a gradual decrease in the total amount of histochemically identifiable acid MPS takes place.