GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS OF UMBILICAL-CORD ARTERIES AND THEIR ALTERATIONS IN EPH-GESTOSIS

It was found that the umbilical cord arteries (UCAs) contained several types of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including hyaluronic acid and sul phated glycosaminoglycans. EPH-gestosis is accompanied by significant changes in the composition of extracellular matrix of the UCAs. Signif icant increase in collagen content was found. Total amount of GAGs did not change much but the quantitative ratio between various GAGs disti nctly altered. A decrease in hyaluronic acid content and an increase i n the amount of sulphated GAGs as well as a diminution of GAGs / colla gen ratio were observed. These observations were confirmed by histoche mical methods. The significance of these phenomena for collagen fibril logenesis in the arterial wall is discussed.