Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
10:13
Micropatterned Surfaces to Study Hyaluronic Acid Interactions with Cancer Cells
Published on: December 22, 2010
Serum hyaluronan as a disease marker
T C Laurent1, U B Laurent, J R Fraser
1Department of Medical, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Annals of Medicine
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Serum hyaluronan levels indicate various health conditions. Elevated levels signal liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and poor prognosis in septic patients, highlighting its role as a clinical marker.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Hyaluronan (HA) is a connective tissue polysaccharide found in blood serum.
- Serum HA levels are regulated by tissue influx via lymph and hepatic clearance.
- Abnormal serum HA levels are associated with various pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the clinical significance of serum hyaluronan levels.
- To identify conditions where serum hyaluronan serves as a diagnostic or prognostic marker.
- To understand the role of hyaluronan metabolism in disease.
Main Methods:
- Serum hyaluronan concentration measurement.
- Correlation analysis with disease states and physiological conditions.
- Review of existing literature on hyaluronan metabolism and clinical relevance.
Main Results:
- Markedly high serum HA levels are observed in liver diseases like cirrhosis due to impaired clearance.
- Serum HA is a sensitive marker for liver transplant rejection.
- Increased serum HA is noted in rheumatoid arthritis, correlating with physical activity and potentially originating from joints.
- Elevated HA levels in septic patients indicate a poor prognosis.
- Certain tumors (Wilms', mesothelioma) increase HA synthesis.
- Rare hereditary disorders of HA metabolism also show elevated levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum hyaluronan is a valuable clinical marker for diverse pathological conditions, including liver disease, inflammatory joint diseases, septic conditions, and certain cancers.
- Understanding hyaluronan metabolism provides insights into disease progression and prognosis.
- Further research under stringent conditions may yield more information on inflammatory joint processes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are long and linear polymers comprising of specific repeating disaccharides - the amino sugar that can be N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, and a uronic acid that is usually glucuronic acid or iduronic acid.
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...