Vitamin C Deficiency and Connective Tissue III: Determinations of Hexosamine, Uronic Acid, Hydroxyproline and Uptake of Radiosulfate (35S) in Granulation Tissue

SummaryIn seven days old granulation tissue, obtained by a technique developed by Rudas, a significant decrease in the content of hydroxyproline representing the content of collagen, was demonstrated during ascorbic acid deficiency. The content of hexuronic acid, a component of acid mucopolysaccharides, was determined by the carbazole and the orcinol methods. By either method a significantly increased content of uronic acid was found during ascorbic acid deficiency. The carbazole to orcinol ratio was increased significantly. The hexosamine content, which is a measure of the content of both acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides, was significantly increased. By contrast, the 35S-sulfate uptake was similar in granulation tissue from normal and scorbutic animals. It is concluded that a ground substance with an increased, and qualitatively altered, fraction of acid mucopolysaccharides is formed in scorbutic granulation tissue.