Title:Hyaluronan in Medical Practice
Volume: 23
Issue: 31
Author(s): Katarína Valachová, Nicola Volpi, Robert Stern and Ladislav Soltes
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronan production, tissue engineering, viscoelasticity, viscosupplemenation, viscoprotection.
Abstract: Hyaluronan is the major extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan
polymer present in vertebrate tissues, with a molar mass that can reach several
megaDaltons. It is particularly prominent in the matrix of tissues undergoing
rapid turnover, in fetal tissues, and wherever regeneration and repair
are occurring. Hyaluronan has highly varied biological functions often dependent
on molar mass, however they are highly dependent on source of
hyaluronan, its purity and nature of contaminants. Hyaluronan of highmolar-
mass is known for its anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
properties, unlike hyaluronan of low-molar-mass that has the
opposite effects. Hyaluronan also has a broad range of clinical applications,
such as intra-articular injection, in ophthalmology, otolaryngology, wound healing, and
commercially in the cosmetic industry, as well as in drug delivery systems. Currently,
polymers of hyaluronan are modified in order to improve their properties, including
bioavailability and resistance to degradation. Because of greatly increased interest currently
in hyaluronan, the multiple functions of the polymer are presented here, including medicine
and industry, as well as recent progress in the formulation of hyaluronan-based materials.
