Urinary acidic glycosaminoglycans in Werner's syndrome.

The composition of urinary acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) in 4 patients with Werner's syndrome was determined by an enzymatic assay system using chondroitinases and hyaluronidase. In Werner's syndrome, the amount of hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfates in the total AGAG increases. A compositional change in the chondroitin sulfate isomers occurs. The change of urinary AGAG in Werner's syndrome appears to reflect age-related changes.