The glycosaminoglycans are carbohydrates that are part of the proteoglycans. They are structural molecules present in the connective tissue of the human body and animals, also playing a crucial role in bone tissue, bones, and epithelial tissue. They have applications in cosmetics, traumatology, and dietary supplementation.
Contents
- 1 What are glycosaminoglycans?
- 2 What are they used for?
- 3 Types of glycosaminoglycans and mucopolysaccharides
- 4 Glycosaminoglycans in cosmetics
- 5 In dietary supplements
- 6 In medicine and traumatology
- 7 What happens when there is an excess of mucopolysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs?
- 8 Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans
- 9 Side Effects
- 10 Contraindications
What are glycosaminoglycans?
They are also known as “mucopolysaccharides“, “carbohydrate structures”, “glycosa-minoglycans”, or “GAGs“. This type of substance consists of structures and biomolecules that help form organic structures and tissues.
They are naturally used by the body, and glycosaminoglycans in cosmetics are also used to improve the skin’s appearance and hydration. Like proteoglycans, they can be applied topically in creams and serums or included in dietary supplements.
What are they used for?
They are a fundamental component in the formation of cartilage in the human body, which is why they are found in large quantities in the knees, elbows, hips, neck, ears, and all cartilage.
Additionally, glycosaminoglycans are useful for tendons, skin, the ocular cornea, and all connective tissue that forms organs and any structure in the body. The function of glycosaminoglycans in the joints is to form a viscous fluid that prevents bones from rubbing against each other through the articular cartilage. Synovial fluid is composed almost entirely of natural mucopolysaccharides or GAGs.
Types of glycosaminoglycans and mucopolysaccharides
- Hyaluronic acid
- Chondroitin or chondroitin sulfate
- Glucosamine
- Dermatan sulfate
- Heparin
- Heparan sulfate
- Keratan sulfate or sulfated keratin
- Uronic acid, iduronic acid, or glucuronic acid
- Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans
Hyaluronic acid is found in connective tissue, in the vitreous humor or eye fluid, in joints as synovial fluid, and in cartilage and blood vessels.
Heparin sulfate can be found in organs such as the lungs, liver, and skin.
Chondroitin or chondroitin sulfate is part of bones, teeth, and cartilage. It is widely used as a supplement in pill or powder form. The commercial names of chondroitin and glucosamine vary, and there are different brands available at a low price, making them accessible to many people who use them to treat joint pain. Likewise, glucosamine is useful for treating cartilage wear and other conditions where the cartilage is deteriorated, cracked, and visibly damaged.
Keratan sulfate, also known as keratan sulfate, plays a role in intervertebral discs, the cornea, and bones.
They have a linear chemical structure of complex sugars. When they bind to proteins, they can form proteoglycans, which, along with vitamin C, are the foundation and active ingredients of Endocare C20 or Martiderm Photo Age, products sold as cosmetics to improve skin appearance and rejuvenate the face with antioxidant effects.
In general, they are present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. The function of glycosaminoglycans is to provide viscosity and enhance the cellular ecosystem, allowing cells to thrive comfortably and receive adequate nutrition by facilitating the transport of essential nutrients to the tissues.
Glycosaminoglycans in cosmetics
Perhaps the most common sector where they are used due to their importance in skin health. Glycosaminoglycans in cosmetics improve skin structure and promote dermal tissue regeneration. The most well-known are hyaluronic acid injectables, famous for their potent hydration and dermal filling function. Also, chondroitin sulfate is essential for forming joint tissue as it is a natural component of cartilage in the body.
Besides these, other molecules are considered part of this group of mucopolysaccharides known as glycosaminoglycans, including:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Glucosamine
In dietary supplements
In addition to being naturally present in the human body, they can also be taken in capsule form or applied to the skin through cosmetic products. However, ingesting them produces interesting and beneficial effects on health, not only for the skin. Therefore, we can find supplements containing glycosaminoglycans, such as:
- Shark cartilage
- Rosehip oil
- Glucosamine tablets
- Chondroitin capsules
In medicine and traumatology
Since they are the basis for forming complex elastic tissues and cartilage, glycosaminoglycans and their structure in traumatology are key to the proper functioning of the joints. They prevent friction between bones and allow cartilage to move without damaging the skeletal system. In cases where there is a lack of synovial fluid, it must be restored through hyaluronic acid injections.
What happens when there is an excess of mucopolysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs?
When their presence is unnecessary, either due to an excess or because the enzymes responsible for their degradation are damaged and fail to function correctly, glycosaminoglycans start to break down and are expelled through urine.
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans
This term refers to a medication used to treat arthritis. In its injectable form, it is administered directly into the joint to eliminate pain caused by movement. It is widely used in horses and dogs under the commercial name “Adequan.”
Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans are abbreviated as “PSGAG,” derived from the original English name “Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan.”
Their effects on joints include improving mobility, reducing pain, and helping both animals and humans regain normal movement in affected limbs or areas.
Uses of Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans
They are used to treat cases of arthritis and advanced osteoarthritis. Their chemical structure is similar to that of natural glycosaminoglycans in cartilage, so once injected, they become part of the original tissue.
Their composition, based on hexosamine and hexuronic acid, makes them indistinguishable from natural compounds. In addition to improving joint mobility, some studies indicate that they play an important role in inhibiting the enzymes that degrade cartilage and bones in bone diseases, reducing inflammation, and enhancing cartilage tissue synthesis. In the coming years, they may become essential in treating osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and conditions that cause inflammation and cartilage deterioration.
Side Effects
It is important to distinguish their uses to better understand the side effects of glycosaminoglycans:
- Joint pain
- Mobility difficulties
- Cartilage tissue infection
When used topically, they rarely cause reactions beyond mild allergic symptoms. Glycosaminoglycans in cosmetics are considered very safe and widely used.
However, the side effects of glycosaminoglycans in medicine and traumatology are more complex. Excessive use or overdose may lead to increased pain and motor impairment. Although serious side effects are rare, some patients experience them in the first days or weeks following joint infiltration.
Intramuscular injection may cause tissue inflammation and bleeding. Its anticoagulant properties can result in internal bleeding, manifesting as nosebleeds or visible blood traces. PSGAGs function similarly to heparin as an anticoagulant, so they should always be administered by a trained professional with expertise in this area.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to mucopolysaccharides
- Blood disorders
Glycosaminoglycan-based creams, as mentioned earlier, rarely cause side effects. However, in some isolated cases, they may cause skin redness, itching, and rashes.
The contraindications of glycosaminoglycans related to blood diseases are associated with coagulation. Since they function similarly to heparin, they promote coagulation inhibition. Therefore, joint and intramuscular injections should be avoided in both humans and animals in such cases.