M. Cechowska-pasko et al., Decreased biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans in the skin of rats with chronic diabetes mellitus, EXP TOX PAT, 51(3), 1999, pp. 239-243
The skin of rats with experimental (streptozotocin-induced) chronic diabete
s mellitus exhibits significant decrease in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) conte
nt. In the present study we asked the question whether the decrease in GAGs
content is a result of decline in GAG biosynthesis or an increase in their
degradation. We demonstrated by a pulse-labeling experiments that diabetes
results in a decrease of [C-14]-glucosamine incorporation into both hyalur
onic acid and sulphated GAGs. During the chase period, there was no signifi
cant degradation of the pulse-labeled GAGs, suggesting that the reduction o
f GAGs content in the skin of diabetic rats is a result of decrease in GAG
biosynthesis. Especially the biosynthesis of sulphated GAGs is deeply reduc
ed. This phenomenon may be one of the factors which impairs the wound heali
ng in diabetic subjects.