A decrease in moisture absorption-retention capacity of N-deacetylation of hyaluronic acid

The linear non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid (HA), is widely distributed throughout connective, epithelial and neural tissues etc., and is of great importance in tissue hydration, lubrication and cellular function. Along with the age growth, HA will lose its acetyl groups under action of HA N-deacetylase in vivo. However, the biological consequence of this physiological process remains largely unknown. Herein two highly N-deacetylated HAs, dHA-6 and dHA-10 were generated via the NH2NH2-HIO3 procedure. Their molecular weights were estimated to be 24 and 16 kDa by high performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC), and the N-deacetylation degrees were 79.4 % and 93 % respectively, as determined by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The study on moisture-absorption (Ra) and -retention (Rh) abilities demonstrated that the Ra values of dHAs under conditions of 81 % or 43 % relative humidity, as well as the Rh values of dHAs under dry condition or 43 % relative humidity, were significantly smaller than that of their respective re-N-acetylated products. The decline of moisture-absorption and -retention capacity after HA N-deacetylation were consistent with the appearance of unsolvated amides remained in the N-deacetylated products, as indicated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Our findings implied that HA N-deacetylation, in addition to the decrease of HA contents in the elderly persons, might account for manifestations of naturally aged skin, such as laxity, sagging, and wrinkling.