title: Oligosaccharides as modulators of rheology in complex mucous systems.
abstract: Mucus rheology is integral to physiological function with the exact secretion rheology resulting from the macromolecular components, both mucin and nonmucin, and the interactions between these macromolecules. Here we present data demonstrating that low-molecular-weight guluronic acid oligomers extracted from alginate are able to disrupt intermolecular interactions in both purified and native mucous systems, resulting in rheological changes that are compatible with a lower cross-link density and thus reduced resistance to deformation. Additionally, these changes are associated with altered physiological function, raising the possibility of the use of such oligomers in biomedical applications.
authors: Norwegian Biopolymer Laboratory (NOBIPOL), Department of Biotechnology, NTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. Ctaylor@biotech.ntnu.no
authors: Catherine Taylor
authors: CT
authors: Nordgård
authors: Kurt I
authors: KI
authors: Draget
mesh_terms: D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009093:Mucus; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology
chemical_list: D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C007896:guluronic acid