title: Degenerative and inflammatory diseases may result from defects in antimineralization mechanisms afforded by glycosaminolglycans.
abstract: Many human cellular and tissue compartments are supersaturated with respect to calcium oxyanion salts. In order to prevent the formation of injurious crystals efficient anti-crystallization protective mechanisms must be necessary. We suggest that depletion of such systems, particularly in ageing organisms and under conditions of oxidative stress, plays an important role in degenerative and inflammatory diseases, including cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, Marischal College, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D003460:Crystallization; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D002118:Calcium