Effects of Hexosamine Derivatives and Uronic Acid Derivatives on Glycosaminoglycane Metabolism of Fibroblast Cultures

The influence of glucosamine, galactosamine, glucuronic acid and of some derivatives of these compounds on mucopolysaccharide metabolism and on protein metabolism of primary fibroblast monolayer cultures was studied. Glucosamine, glucosamine · HC1, glucosamine · HJ and glucosamine sulfate (in concentrations of 100 µg/ml each) caused a considerable, statistically highly significant increase of the secretion of mucopolysaccharides by the fibroblasts. N-Acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine were effective too, though to a lesser degree. Glucuronic acid was without any influence on mucopolysaccharide production. The protein content of the cultures was not affected by the 7 compounds mentioned so far in concentrations of up to 100 µg/ml. Galactosamine and betaineglucuronate induced a certain depression of a mucopolysaccharide production and simultaneously a decrease of the cellular protein content.