The metabolism of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in inflamed human gingiva

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG)and proteoglycans (PG)were extracted from both relatively uninflamed and severely inflamed human gingiva. The constituent GAG, Hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulphate and chondroitin 4′ sulphate, were present in the same total amount and porportions in both tissues. In contrast the PG underwent substantial breakdown in the serverly inflamed tissue as judged by anion exchange chromatography and cellulose acetate electophoresis. The findings indicate theat whereas the GAG remain apparently unchanged during inflammation, the protein moiety of the PG is catabolised leading to a loss of structural integrity.