Hyaluronic Acid Properties
The body uses many different types of molecules for its supportive tissue, especially cartilage. One of the major components of this connective tissue is a polymer called hyaluronic acid. In addition to being present in the joints, it is also used to hold cells together and as a signal for other cells within the body. The average person has roughly 15 grams of this compound in their body.
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Structure
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Hyaluronic acid is a polymer that is made up of many units of disaccharides. A disaccharide is made up of two units called monosaccharides, which are the smallest sugar units. In the case of hyaluronic acid, the disaccharide is glucoronic acid and acetylglucosamine linked together into one unit. Hyaluronic acid can be up to 25,000 disaccharides long.
Stability
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Hyaluronic acid is fairly stable, in part because of the way that its disaccharide components are positioned. The bulkier parts of the molecule are spaced far apart. By lowering this crowding, which is also known as "steric hindrance," the molecule is able to be flexible, but also resistant to breaking down.
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Water Absorption
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One of the most biologically relevant properties of hyaluronic acid is its ability to absorb water. Hyaluronic acid, because of its many carbohydrate subunits, is able to absorb large quantities of water, which causes it to become somewhat gel-like. As a result, it is used by the body to increase the viscosity of fluid in joints.
Hyaluronic Acid and Cartilage
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Hyaluronic acid is one of the primary "lubricating" parts of joints. Hyaluronic acid binds to a protein called aggrecan. This complex is what makes cartilage so resilient to compression. Hyaluronic acid also gives skin its elasticity.
Hyaluronic Acid Production and Degradation
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Hyaluronic acid is made by certain enzymes that are located on the surface of cells. These enzymes add additional disaccharide subunits as they push the polymer out of the cell. Hyaluronic acid is also broken down by many different enzymes, and bits of degraded hyaluronic acid have been shown to encourage the growth of blood vessels, as well as trigger inflammation.
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