Electrophoretic and chromatographic patterns of glycosaminoglycans of the umbilical cord vessels and their alteration in EPH-gestosis

Abstract

It was found that hyaluronic acid is the most abundant glycosaminoglycan (GAG) both in the umbilical cord arteries and in the umbilical cord veins. Chromatographic and as well as electrophoretic studies demonstrated that EPH-gestosis (Edema-Proteinuria-Hypertension), the most common pathological syndrome occurring in pregnancy, is accompanied by premature replacement of hyaluronic acid by sulphated GAGs in the investigated arteries but not in the veins. Such a replacement is a characteristic feature of the ageing process. One may conclude that EPH-gestosis is associated with a "premature ageing" of the umbilical cord arterial walls. The mechanism and possible role of this phenomenon in pathology are discussed.