title: Glycosaminoglycans in the human cornea: age-related changes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate possible age-related changes in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the human cornea. The substances today called GAGs were previously referred to as mucopolysaccharides.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of human cornea were taken from 12 younger (age 21 ± 1.2) and 12 older (age 72 ± 1.6) male subjects. Samples were weighed, homogenized, and used for biochemical and molecular analyses. All the quantitative results were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The human cornea appears to undergo age-related changes, as evidenced by our biochemical and molecular results. The total GAG and hyaluronic acid counts were significantly higher in the younger subjects than in the older subjects. The sulfated heavy GAGs, such as chondroitin, dermatan, keratan, and heparan sulfate, were lower in the younger subjects than in the older subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GAGs of the human cornea undergo numerous age-related changes. Their quantity is significantly altered in the elderly in comparison with younger subjects. GAGs play an important role in age-related diseases of the human cornea.
authors: Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Pacella
authors: Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Fernanda
authors: F
authors: Pacella
authors: Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giulio
authors: G
authors: De Paolis
authors: Towson University, Towson, MD, USA.
authors: Francesca Romana
authors: FR
authors: Parisella
authors: National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP/NIHMP), Rome, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Turchetti
authors: Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Anello
authors: Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Cavallotti
keywords: age-related changes; glycosaminoglycans; human cornea; mucopolysaccharides; mucoproteins; proteoglycans