[Glycosaminoglycan levels in normal and degenerative articular cartilage of people of different ages].

Content of glycosaminoglycans in normal and degenerative joint cartilage of various old persons from birth up to senile age was studied by means of estimation of uronic acids, hexoses and hexosamines. In normal cartilage content of hexosamines did not alter with age but concentration of uronic acids was gradually decreased especially distinct at the senile age. Content of hexoses was increased from birth up to 35 years old age and then it was decreased. In degeneratively impaired cartilage content of glycosaminoglycans was decreased; content of all three carbohydrates studied was lesser in the impaired cartilage as compared with normal tissue from persons of the same age.