Determination of hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulphate, heparan sulphate and chondroitin 4/6 sulphate in human dermis, and a material of reference.

Using a new method based on electrophoresis and enzymatic digestion with chondroitinase AC small skin biopsies of 15 healthy individuals were assayed for qualitative and quantitative content of glycosaminoglycans. The content of collagen was measured as hydroxyproline. The following results were obtained: (1) The mean substance content and standard deviation of hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulphate, heparan sulphate chondroitin 4 or 6 sulphate and hydroxyproline in dried defatted tissue is presented. (2) There is a negative correlation with age for hyaluronic acid and no correlation with age for any of the other glycosaminoglycans or the hydroxyproline. (3) The sex has no major influence on any of the quantities measured. (4) The observed substance content of water in wet tissue is presented.