DIFFERENT SULFATION DEGREE AND BIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF HYALURONIC-ACID AS HEPARIN-LIKE MOLECULE

Hyaluronic acid was sulphated and seven derivatives, containing a diff erent number of sulphated groups per disaccharide unit were prepared ( HyalS(x) where x can be 1, 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 3.8, 4). The behaviour of th e sulphated hyaluronic acids was studied at different pH's by using se veral thermodynamic and spectroscopic techniques. The ability of these macromolecules to form Cu2+ complexes in aqueous solution was also in vestigated. The sulphated hyaluronic acids were studied as heparin-lik e molecules, thus coagulation and angiogenesis in-vitro tests were per formed. The influence of the degree of sulphation on the biological ac tivity is well documented.